Who was Saint Eligius?
Eligius was born around the year 590 in France. When he was still a youth, his father recognized his great skill and sent Eligius to apprentice with Abbo, a goldsmith who was the master of the mint at Limoges. Clotaire II, the king of the Franks, commissioned Eligius to build a throne for him, made of gold and precious gems. With the materials given to him, he was able to make two beautiful thrones, and so thrilled Clotaire with their beauty and his honesty, that he was appointed the master of the mint at Marseille. The king even took Eligius into the royal household to live at court.
Eligius was born around the year 590 in France. When he was still a youth, his father recognized his great skill and sent Eligius to apprentice with Abbo, a goldsmith who was the master of the mint at Limoges. Clotaire II, the king of the Franks, commissioned Eligius to build a throne for him, made of gold and precious gems. With the materials given to him, he was able to make two beautiful thrones, and so thrilled Clotaire with their beauty and his honesty, that he was appointed the master of the mint at Marseille. The king even took Eligius into the royal household to live at court.
When Clotaire died, the king’s son, Dagobert, appointed Eligius his chief counsellor. Eligius’s fame spread and many sought his wise counsel. He used his position to secure alms for the poor and he ransomed many slaves. Eligius also founded many monasteries, and even at court, lived by a strict monastic rule. He became the bishop of Noyon and Tournai, and demonstrated to all the grace of using gifts, talents, and wealth for the welfare of those in need. He died on December 1, around 660, and is the patron of goldsmiths, blacksmiths, all metal workers, and numismatists.
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