Nov. 11-30

Thanksgiving week! BTW, Thanksgiving is not a holy day of obligation. Just in case you were wondering.


#10  Conrad of Constance (Nov 26)
Representation:  bishop holding a chalice with a spider above or in it

You know, there’s a big difference between “above” and “in,” right?

Conrad was a very well-connected individual who somehow managed to avoid politics in a very political time and place (the Holy Roman Empire, during the 10th Century). Bishop of Constance (in current-day Switzerland), Conrad made several pilgrimages to Jerusalem, founded a number of churches, and was known for his charity to the poor.

The spider? Sounds like “in” would have been a much more accurate representation:

This refers to a story that once when he was celebrating mass a spider fell into the chalice. Spiders were believed at that time to be deadly poisonous, but Conrad nevertheless drank the Blood of Christ, which had been transubstantiated from wine, with the spider in it, as a token of faith. (Wikipedia)

#9  Catherine Laboure (Nov 28)
Patronage:  pigeon fanciers

Catherine Laboure is a pretty well-known saint. Living in 19th Century France as a simple Sister of Charity, she had several visions of the Virgin Mary, visions which would lead to the issuing of the Miraculous Medal, arguably the most popular religious medal out there.

The pigeons? Turns out Catherine took care of the family’s pigeons as a young girl. I must admit, though, I honestly thought it had to do with Catherine’s wimple. If Sister Bertrille could get airborne with hers, I’m sure it would be easy for Cathy.

#8  Fergus the Pict (Nov 27)

Not too surprisingly, Fergus was a Scot, active during the 7th and 8th Centuries. He was a bishop, founded a number of churches, and attended a council in Rome. Looks like you can also hire him for your next kids party as well:

#7  Amphilochius of Iconium (Nov 23)

Hmm, I might be spelling that wrong. Indeed, my spell check suggests Aphidlocus of Zirconium.

Amphiliochius was active during the 4th and 5th Centuries, in what is now Turkey. He started out as a lawyer, ditched it all to become a hermit, and then was made a bishop. He was very active in the numerous theological debates that went on in this era. In particular, he was known for fighting the Macedonians, Arians, Messalonians, Green Bay Packers, and Sonny Liston. (Okay, not those last two.)

#6  Tudwal of Treguier (Nov 30)
Representation:  bishop using his stole as a leash on a dragon

Mink?

Tudwal was a Breton monk who loved in the 6th Century. He was born in Brittany (the son of a king), studied in Ireland, was a hermit in Wales, and then returned to Brittany to found a monastery.

He was also a man of many names. In addition to Tudwal, I’ve also got him down for Tudgual, Tugdual, Tugual, Tugdualus, Tual, Pabu, and Papu. I think someone might just be having fun with me for those last two.

Though I could find a number of sites that cited that rather interesting representation, I could not find any explanations. I’m  assuming Tudwal was probably just a St. George type who just so happened to be fond of animals.


#5  Alypius Stylites (Nov 26)
Representation:  an old man on a pillar holding a baby

There’s a story behind this.  I just know there is.

What that is, though, we may never know. Once again, all I get are citations of this particular (and particularly weird) representation. Nobody seems to want to come forward and explain what it all means. And this time, I certainly don’t feel comfortable speculating.

Oh, I can explain why he’s on a pillar though. Hard to believe, but playing hermit on the top of a pillar in the middle of the desert was all the rage in the Byzantine Empire around the 5th Century. There were usually called “stylites,” from the Greek word for “pillar,” stylos.

Sorry, no baby

#4  James of the Marches (Nov 28)
Representation:  Franciscan with a staff, castanets at his girdle, pointing to HIS

The castanets are bad enough. But what’s with the girdle?

Born James Gangala in 15th Century Italy, this saint would become a lawyer and a Franciscan. He would become involved heavily in the Inquisition, then have the tables turned on him in the last few years of his life.

An alternative representation for him is 

"priest holding in his right hand a chalice from which a snake is escaping"

#3  Barlaam (Nov 27)
Representation:  man in a tree, which is being gnawed by a mouse, grabbing a beehive while hanging over a dragon in a pit

Forget the story. I’m having a hard time even picturing this.

Barlaam was a Christian hermit in - of all places - India. He converted the king's son, Josaphat, who would later join him as a hermit as well. This legend probably derives from the life of the Buddha. Infact, "Josaphat" is robably derived from "Bodhisattva," one of the Buddha's titles.

Surprisingly, there are multiple St. Barlaams out there, including ones in Russia and what is now modern-day Turkey.

That's it! (though I have no idea what it could possibly mean)

#2  Ekbert of Muensterschwarzach (Nov 25)

I’m thinking that last bit might have something to do with monsters. Or maybe cheese.

Wouldn’t you know, though …  “Muenster” is actually German for “monastery.” “Schwarzach”? It’s a river in Bavaria. So, basically, that whole big long mess simply equates to “the monastery on the Schwarzach River.”

Ekbert? He was a monk at – and later, abott of – said monastery. We’re talking the 11th Century here, by the way. Other than that those scant facts, however, all we’re really left with here is that wonderful whopper of a name.


#1  Dimbalac Oghlou Wartavar (Nov 22)

Known to his friends as “Dim” …

Well, it looks like this guy has a lot in common Ekbert. First, we’ve got that mouthful of a name. Second, we’ve got almost next to nothing for a bio. About all I could squeeze out of the Interwebs for this guy was that he was a “a Franciscan and a Martyr of Armenia.”

Actually, a little more digging tells me that Dimbalac was actually part of the Armenian Genocide. They were beatified by JPII in 1982. Some of “companions” include:

• Geremia Oghlou Boghos
• Khodianin Oghlou Kadir
• Baldji Oghlou Ohannes
• Kouradji Oghlou Tzeroum
• David Oghlou David

(If you’re wondering about that “Oghlou,” it just means “son of.”)

Not sure who's who,

but the head honcho in the middle is Salvatore Lilli

Honorable Mention

• Egelwine of Athelney
• Sosthenes of Colophon
• Paphnutius of Heracleopolis
• Simeon the Logothete
• Pompea of Langoat
• Ferran Llovera Pulgsech
• Banban of Lethglenn
• Sisinius of Cyzicus
• Zosimus the Wonder Worker

Nov. 15-21

There’s a solemnity this week, the Feast of Christ the King. Now, a solemnity is a feast day of the highest order – think Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, Epiphany ... Interestingly, though, this particular one dates back only to 1925.


#10  Gertrude the Great (Nov 16)

AKA Great Gerty …

Gertrude lived in 13th Century Germany. She was a Benedictine sister, having lived in the convent since the age of 4. She was a mystic and writer, with her works influencing a number of subsequent saints.

So, what made her so great? Well, there are certainly a lot of St. Gertrudes out there (I count 9 others), so it is important that they not get all mixed up.  And our Gertrude did seem to accomplish quite a lot and also act as a major influence over the years. So … Hard to believe, though, but Gert is the only female saint out there to get that particular appellation of “Great.”

Oops, wrong Gerty

#9  Lazarus Zographos (Nov 17)

Lazarus Zographos was an anti-iconoclast. And that actually means something much more specific than someone who’s doesn’t like rebels.

Hard to believe, but whether to use religious images was a huge issue in the Byzantine Empire during the 8th and 9th Centuries.  Those who were against icons were known as “iconoclasts” – literally, “image breakers.”

Those who were for icons – like Laz – were “anti-iconoclasts.” Lazarus was, in fact, a famous painter of icons, and a monk to boot. Under certain iconoclast rulers, he would suffer for his art, being thrown in prison and tortured for refusing to destroy his icons or give up his work.

Oh, almost forgot … “Zographos” is actually just Greek for “painter.”

I think that's him in the hoodie

#8  Edmund of East Anglia (Nov 20)
Representation:  man with his severed head between the paws of a wolf

I’m taking it Edmund was a martyr then …

And sure enough, he was. Edmund was king of East Anglia, in the latter part of the 9th Century. He was martyred by invading Vikings (or perhaps Danes) who, after Edmund refused to renounce Christianity, sliced and diced him up pretty good.

The wolf? Here’s the explanation on Wikipedia:

According to one legend, his head was then thrown into the forest, but was found safe by searchers after following the cries of a wolf that was calling, "Hic, Hic, Hic" – "Here, Here, Here".

At one time, Edmund was the patron saint of England. His shrine, at Bury St. Edmunds, was a very popular patronage site.

There you go!

#7  Hugh of Lincoln (Nov 17)
Representation:  man with a swan at his death bed

So, I’m imagining Hugh’s last words were something along the lines of, “What the heck is that doing here?”

Hugh lived in the 12th Century. Born in France, he would become a Carthusian monk, moving to England when the order sought to establish a presence there. There, he would become a bishop, a builder of churches and monasteries, and one of England’s more well-known and influential saints.

Oh, that swan? Wikipedia is here to help us out again:

Hugh loved all the animals in the monastery gardens, especially a wild swan that would eat from his hand and follow him about and yet the swan would attack anyone else who came near Hugh.

Are you sure that's not a flamingo?

#6  Hélène-Marie-Philippine de Chappotin de Neuville (Nov 15)

Of, if you prefer her religious name, Mary of the Passion …  And seeing that that’s 25 characters, 1 space and 2 dashes less, I would well imagine you would.

Mary was born in 1839, in France. Originally a cloistered nun, she later established a mission convent in India, then broke off from her existing order to found the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. This order, though still contemplative, also offered medical service to women in their local community. The group grew by leaps and bounds, and today numbers 6,700 nuns, the citizens of 80 nations, serving in 76 countries.

#5  Mechtilde of Helfta (Nov 19)

Just rolls right off the tongue …

But would you believe it could have been a lot worse? Mechtilde was actually born Mechtilde von Hackeborn-Wippra, into a well-known noble German family. Entering the convent at age 7, she would eventually become a Benedictine nun. She was particularly known for her musical abilities (she was called the “Nightingale of Helfta”), teaching children (including our #10 this week, Gertrude the Great), and her “extreme amiability” (Wikipeda, again).

#4  Yosafat Kotsylovsky (Nov 17)

Ow, I think I just hurt my tongue!

And if that wasn’t painful enough, I’ll have you know that Yosafat’s official title was Eparch of Przemyśl!

Yosafat was a Ukrainian Greek Catholic. They’re one of a number of Eastern Rite Catholic sects, all of which recognize the Pope. In addition to being an eparch (basically, a bishop), Yosafat is also considered a martyr, having died in a Soviet prison camp.

Relaxing at home, I take it

#3  Josaphata Mykhailyna Hordashevska

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to use my tongue again!

First of all, Josaphata is indeed the feminine form of Josaphat. Second, Josaphata was also – like Yosafat – a member of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic church.

Interestingly, though, Jospahata has a lot more in common with #6 on our list, Mary of the Passion. Like Mary, Josie joined a contemplative order, but was then tasked with forming a new order that would move out into the world, serving the local community. And like Mary’s new order, Josaphat’s became wildly popular.

I have no idea what the mini people are all about

#2  Leopold III (Nov 15)
Representation:  armed man with a cross on his coronet, a banner with three eagles, and a model of the church of Heiligenkreuz in his hand

But what was he armed with?  Geez, these descriptions are so vague.

So, let me try to explain all this. First, the coronet … That’s due to Leopold’s being Margrave of Austria. The arms? That’s for defeating Hungarian invaders in battle. Heiligenkreuz was a monastery – one of many – Leopold founded.

I would imagine the cross is because of Leopold’s piety. The three eagles? Sorry, can’t help you there.

By the by, Leopold is the patron saint of Austria.

So, what happened to the eagles?

#1  Florinus of Remus (Nov 17)

Not to be confused with Remus of Florinus.

He is, however, the same guy as:

• Florinus of Mazia
• Florinus of Val Venosta
• Florinus of Matsch
• Florinus of Ramosch
• Florinus of Vinschgau
• Florinus of Vnuost
• Florinus of Chur
• Florinus of Finsgowe

Who was he? Florinus (who’s also known as Florin and Florian) was a 9th Century priest, born in Italy but working in Switzerland. He was known for living like a hermit and performing miracles, but otherwise simply being the local parish priest. There’s not much more on him, I’m afraid – he’s rather on the obscure side.

Sorry, not sure how he ended up behind bars

Honorable Mention

• Machudd of Llanfechell
• Heliodorus of Pamphylia
• Nerses the Great
• Rufus of Rome
• Maximus of Mainz
• Dasius of Dorostorum
• Martyrs of Hippo
• Mummolus of Lagny
• Cosmas Takeya Sozaburo
• Martyred Visitationists of Madrid

Nov. 8-14

This week seems to be a good one for B-level saints.  These are folks that you’ve probably heard of only if you’re Catholic – Martin of Tours, Leo the Great, Frances Xavier Cabrini …

The ten below?  Well, to have heard of them, you’d probably have to be 1) seriously Catholic and 2) possibly also a little odd yourself.


#10  Vitonus of Verdun (Nov 9)

Very vierd.

Vitonis was a French saint who lived in the 5th and 6th centuries. He was a missionary to the region of Lorraine (where Verdun is located). There, he would become bishop, miracle worker, and founder of a seminary and abbey. The latter would be subsequently named after him, and is known today as St. Vanne (other alternate names of his include Vaune and Vitone).


#9  Cunibert of Cologne  (Nov 12)

Correspondingly.

In addition to the awesome alliteration, Cunibert was also a man of many names. In addition to plain ol’ Cunibert, we’ve also got Cunipert, Kunibert, and Honoberht (?!?!). For the second part, we’ve also got Keulen, Köln, Trèves, and Trier. Put those two together, and we’ve got 16 different permutations and combinations.

Whatever you might call him, he lived in the 600s, was the bishop of the German city of Cologne, acted as co-regent for the Frankish kingdom of Autrasia, and founded many churches and monasteries.

His typical representation is “bishop with a bird (usually a dove or pigeon), often speaking in his ear or leading him somewhere.” This comes from a pious legend where said bird helped Cunibert find the long-lost grave of St. Ursula.

#8  Homobonus of Cremona (Nov 13)

As far as I can tell, that first name is not pronounced “homo bonus.” It seems to be more correctly rendered as “huh-MAH-buh-nis.” Too bad.

Our guy Homo (I’m assuming that’s what his friends called him), was actually born Omobono Tucenghi in 12th Century Italy. That first name means “good man” (“Homobonus” is merely the Latin version). I have no idea what that last name means (but can guess it’s a bear to pronounce properly).

Interestingly, Homobonus was very much a man of this world – he was married, and a well-off merchant as well. That last part explains his patronage of tailors, shoemakers, clothworkers, and business people in general. In fact, Homo’s been something of a hot commodity lately in business circles (if we can believe Wikipedia, that is):

In recent years, statuettes of Saint Homobonus are being sold as novelty items or executive toys in the United States. As the patron saint of business people, Homobonus has become a relevant figure in corporate culture. There is even a digital marketing agency that takes the saint's name. Omobono Ltd is based in Cambridge, UK. A priest was one of the founders of the organization. Another digital company in Texas, specializing in webhosting, combines Sheen (as in Fulton Sheen) with Omo to form Sheenomo [Sheenomo.com].

Now, Homobonus was also a very devout person and gave most of his riches away to charity. So, you got’s to do ‘em both – okay, you MBA types?

#7  Aedh Mac Bricc (Nov 10)

Odd as it may seem, this is not how someone clears their throat in Gaelic.

Aedh lived in 6th Century Ireland. He was a bishop, founded monasteries, and cured headaches. As for that last bit, he actually cured a particular doozy of St. Brigid’s – making him forever one of about two dozen patrons you can call on when you’re suffering from cephalalgia.

There’s a curious story out there about Aedh:

He frequently visited settlements of holy virgins who received him with the respect due to a man of his position. On one occasion, when he perceived that the girl serving him was pregnant he fled from the building both to avoid the pollution and to shame her. She confessed her sins and did penance. Áed was not one to leave someone under his care in a difficult situation; he blessed her womb and the baby disappeared as if it had never been there.

Not sure what this says about Church doctrine regarding abortion.

#6  Pavel Dzjidzjov (Nov 11)

I’m guessing no one knows how to pronounce this one.

Supporting me in this regard is how Google insists on “showing results for Pawel Dziedzic.” Heck, they are the same guy, right?

Pavel/Pawel is one of our modern saints, martyred in 1952 by the Bulgarian Commies. He’s actually only a beatus, or Blessed. One more miracle, though, and he’ll truly be a saint.

#5  Josephat Chichkov (Nov 11)

You gotta wonder why there aren’t more cute little baby Josephats out there. Got a nice ring to it, don’t you think?

You’re not going to believe this, but Josephat was actually a companion of Pavel. Other companions include Kamen Vitchev and Eugene Bossilkov. Nice try, you two, but I’m afraid your gonna have up your game a little if you want to appear on this list with Pawel/Pavel and Josephat.

#4  Josaphat Kuncewicz  (Nov 12)

It was a good week for Josaphats …

Interestingly, this Josaphat was not pals with all those other guys. In fact, this Josaphat lived back in the 16th and 17th Centuries. He was born a noble in what is now Ukraine. A monk and then a priest and archbishop, his main claim to fame was getting caught in between the Catholic and Orthodox churches and ending up a martyr.

Ouch!

#3  Livinus (Nov 12)
Representation:  bishop holding his tongue with a pair of tongs

But why? Why was he holding his tongue with a pair of thongs?

Well, as it turns out, said tongue was torn out as part of Livinus’s martyrdom. Interestingly, though, that didn’t stop it – Livinus’s tongue kept right on preaching.

Livinus lived in the same rough time as Vitonus, Cunibert, and Aedh. Another Irishman, he would head to the Low (or Benelux) Countries as a missionary (and subsequent martyr).

Rubens

#2  Five Polish Brothers  (Nov 12)

Also happens to be the name of a polka band as well.

Okay, I’m making that up.

Get this though … These guys happened to be neither Polish nor brothers. Instead, they were Benedictine monks, from Italy, who just so happened to have been martyred in Poland. We’re talking the year 1005 here, by the way.

It's on!

#1  Maria Crucified Satellico (Nov 8)

I’m particularly thankful spell check didn’t correct that last part as “satellite.”  As that would have been weird.

Maria was born in 17th Italy and was raised by her uncle, who just so happened to be a priest. Quiet ambitious, as a child, Maria declared, “I want to become a nun, and if I succeed, I want to become a saint.” She would eventually become a Poor Clare and an abbess, but – unfortunately – not a saint (she’s only a beata).

Two other interesting things about our Maria – she was very musical and also suffered from demons. Not that those two are related, of course …

Honorable Mention

• Jucundus of Bologna
• Deodat of Rodez
• Chillien of Aubigny
• Rhediw
• Warmondus of Ivrea
• Adeltrude of Aurillac
• Nonnus of Heliopolis
• Narses of Subagord
• Veranus of Vence
• Ymar of Reculver

Nov. 1-7

This week includes feasts for both All Saints and All Souls. The first is for everyone who has made it into heaven, whether recognized down here as an official saint or not. The second is for all the rest of us.


#10  Martin de Porres (Nov 3)
Patronage:   hair stylists

Martin de Porres was illegitimate, of mixed race, and grew up in extreme poverty. He would eventually be apprenticed to a barber (whence the odd patronage).

Martin would later join the Dominicans, first as a servant and then eventually as a brother. He moved from doing laundry and working in the kitchen to ministering to the sick, handling alms, acting as a fundraiser, and founding an orphanage and a hospital.

Americancatholic.org also cites “ecstasies that lifted him into the air, light filling the room where he prayed, bilocation, miraculous knowledge, instantaneous cures and a remarkable rapport with animals” among his other accomplishments.

A little off the top?

#9  Austremonius (Nov 1)

Def: adj., of or exhibiting austremony.

I’m not sure exactly what that is (and, yes, I totally made that up), but I do know that St. Austremonius was a 4th Century missionary to Gaul, where he would later become a bishop. He’s also known as Stramonius, Austromoine, Stramonius, and Stremonius. And that’s about all I could find on this guy …

#8  Prosdocimus of Padua (Nov 7)

Not much on this dude either … I mean, other than that awesomely alliterative appelation, that is.

He may have been friends with St. Paul, who may have sent him to Padua, where he did become its first bishop. Though that’s all we really know about him, he was immortalized by a number of artists, including Donatello. Why? Not totally sure.

This one's by Andrea Mantegna

#7  Amicus of Rambone (Nov 2)

Sadly, that place is actually pronounced “ram-bone-ee,” not “ram-bone.” It’s actually the name of an abbey, in Italy. Ah, what might have been …

Oh, Amicus? He was the abbot there. Originally a prince, he would give it all up to become a lowly monk. We’re talking the 10th and 11th Centuries here, by the way. And that’s about all we know about Amicus …

The only image I could find out there of him

#6  Willibord of Echternach (Nov 7)
Representation:   cleric dipping his staff into a cask

No, no! No more for you, Willibord!

Finally, somebody with a bio … Though originally from England, Willibord spent a number of years studying in Ireland, traveled twice to Rome, and then ended up as a missionary in northern Germany. He is, in fact, known as the “Apostle of the Frisians” (the very northwest part of Germany and the very northern part of the Netherlands). He would also become the first bishop of Utrecht (in the Netherlands) and found a monastery at Echternach (in Luxembourg). Put ‘em all together, and you’ve got the “Apostle of the Benelux Countries” (that’s Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, in case you didn’t already know).

Alas, I have no idea where the cask and staff come in.

Patron saint of the extremely skinny

#5  Winifred of Wales (Nov 3)
Representation:   Celtic maiden holding a sword with a fountain at her feet, and red ring around her neck where her head has been severed and restored

I’m not sure what I like better, the wonderfully alliterative name or the rather gruesome representation. Aw, do I have to choose?

So, here’s the scoop on the latter bit … Turns out Winifred was beheaded by a suitor, named Caradog, when she resisted his advances. Her brother, one St. Beuno, came along, stitched her up, and brought her back to life. She later became a nun and abbess.

Supposedly, a spring sprang up where Winifred’s head rolled on the ground. It would become famous for its miraculous cures, and a major pilgrimage site as well.

Said well

#4  Charles Borromeo (Nov 4)
Patronage:   apple orchards, starch makers, against ulcers, Monterey CA, etc.

Did I leave anything out?

Charles came from quite the tony family. His mother was a Medici, and he had an uncle who would become pope.

It’s not too surprising then that he rose pretty high up in the ranks, collecting titles like some of us collect coins or comic books or commemorative spoons:

• Abbot
• Bishop
• Archbishop
• Governor
• Secretary of state
• Apostolic administrator
• Papal legate
• Legate a latere
• Cardinal-Deacon
• Protector of the Kingdom of Portugal
• Abbot commendatario
• Vicar general in spiritualibus 
• Cardinal-Priest of the Title of St. Prassede
• Protonotary apostolic participantium and referendary

He was actually a major force in the Counter Reformation, played an important role in the Council of Trent, and was a major patron of the arts. Given all his many accomplishments and his very refined background, he still managed to live very humbly.

#3  Clydog (Nov 3)

This poor guy is also known as Clodock and Clitaucus. Wow, I’m not sure which of these three is the worst. They all seem equally bad.

Clydog was a young Welsh king, known for his just and peaceful rule. When a noble maiden fell in love with him, a jealous admirer of hers (and a friend of the king!), slew Clydog while the two (Clydog and the jealous dude, that is) were out hunting.

Clydog’s body was transported by oxen back to his seat, but when the cart broke down, Clydog was buried on the spot. A church was later built there, becoming a popular medieval pilgrimage spot.


#2  Rumwold of Buckingham (Nov 3)
Representation:   preaching newborn baby

This is a good one. I’ll let catholicsaints.info describe it in full:

He lived only three days during which time he repeated several times “I am a Christian”, and asked for Baptism (which he received from bishop Wilderin) and Holy Communion. Immediately after Baptism, he made a confession of faith, preached a sermon on the Trinity, reciting Scripture and the Athanasian Creed as part of his proofs. He completed this performance by predicting his death, and outlining his desired burial arrangements.

But, wait – it gets better:

A statue of Rumwold at Boxley Abbey could supposedly only be moved by people who lived pure lives. Purity was apparently measured by the size of a donor’s gift to the abbey since if it was sufficient, one of the monks would operate a ratchet mechanism that helped move the statue. This was exposed and the statue burned during the Reformation.

#1  Winnoc of Wormhoult (Nov 6)
Representation:  in ecstasy while grinding grain to flour

It’s not typically how I’ve felt before when grinding grain, but hey …

Winnoc was a Welsh prince who was brought up in Brittany, where his family had fled from the Saxons. He would later found the priory of Wormhout, in modern-day Belgium.  We’re talking the 7th and 8th Centuries here.

That great representation? Sounds like Winnoc particularly enjoyed doing the lowly manual labors around the abbey, including grinding grain. I’m afraid that’s all there is to it ….

Great name too, by the way. And wouldn’t you know, Winnoc is another one of those saints with many, many name variants:

• Winnoc of Wormhoudt
• Winnoc of Flanders
• Winnock
• Winoc
• Winok
• Winnok
• Wunnoc
• Winocus
• Vinocus
• Vinnoco
• Winnow
• Winwalo
• Gwynnog
• Pinnock

You call that ecstatic?

Honorable Mention

• Wulganus
• Dominator of Brescia
• Innumerable Martyrs of Saragossa
• Clether
• Cadfan
• Dingad
• Dionysius Fugixima
• Gebetrude of Remiremont
• Spinulus of Moyen-Moutier
• Erc of Slane