Saint Gerard of Csanád

Life story

Gerard was born in the Venice area, possibly into a noble family; the year of his birth is uncertain, estimated between 977 and 1000. According to his biographers he spent time at the Benedictine abbey of San Giorgio in Venice. He later went to Hungary and lived as a hermit in the Bakony Hills.

King Stephen I of Hungary invited him to tutor his son Emeric, though some historians think that detail may have been added by his hagiographer. Around 1030 to 1035 the king founded the diocese of Csanád in the south-east of the country and made Gerard its first bishop. His task was to bring Christianity to the region; he founded mission parishes and a school at Csanád to train monks to preach to the Hungarian tribes.

After King Stephen's death, the pagan-led uprising of Vata broke out. On 24 September 1046 Gerard was killed at Buda, reportedly at the place now called Gellért Hill, while trying to cross the Danube. Accounts of his death differ in detail.

In 1083, according to Hungarian tradition, King Stephen, Prince Emeric and Gerard were canonised under Pope Gregory VII. According to Encyclopedia.com the Hungarian king sent most of his relics to Venice in 1333, where he is honoured as the city's first martyr. His feast day is 24 September.

Works and witness

• Monk from the Venice area who lived as a hermit in the Bakony Hills
• Traditionally tutor to Prince Emeric
• First bishop of Csanád (around 1030–1035)
• Killed on 24 September 1046 in the pagan uprising
• Canonised in 1083

Saints from the same country

Saint Agnes, Saint Lawrence, Saint Cecilia, Saint Sebastian

References

• Encyclopedia.com, Gerard of Csanád, St. (New Catholic Encyclopedia)
• Wikipedia, Gerard of Csanád (cross-check for 1083 canonisation and hermit life)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.