Saint Mellonius was a legendary early 4th century Bishop of Rotomagus (now Rouen) in the Roman province of Secunda Provincia Lugdunensis (now Normandy in France). He is known only from a 17th century 'Life' of little historical value. He is said to have been born near Cardiff in South Wales, presumably at St Mellons, although the saint there is generally thought to be Saint Melaine, Bishop of Rennes. The two have, unfortunately, been hopelessly confused in many biographies. Mellonius' story tells how he travelled to Rome to pay the British tribute. He was there converted to Christianity by Pope Stephen I. He became the first Bishop of Rouen and died in AD 311. His feast day is 22 October. The church at Thiédeville is dedicated to him and he is said to have been baptised in a holy well at Héricourt. He may or may not be identical to the Bishop of Troyes of the same name who supposedly ruled in the 390s.
References
- Sabine Baring-Gould (1907). Lives of the British Saints.
