PAULINUS (PEULIN), saint, fl. late 5th century

Name: Paulinus
Gender: Male
Occupation: saint
Area of activity: Religion
Author: Hywel David Emanuel

No 'Life' of this saint is known. In Rhygyfarch's 'Life of S. David' (chapter x), David is stated to have completed his education under S. Paulinus (Paulens), who is described as a 'scribe, a disciple of S. Germanus the bishop.' When Paulinus became blind, David is said to have miraculously restored his sight. Later in the 'Life' (chapter xlix), Paulinus is the aged bishop who advises that David be invited to the Synod of Brefi. Paulinus is pictured in the 'Life of S. Teilo' too as the sage to whom Teilo went to perfect his learning. The 'Life of S. Illtud' (chapter xi) mentions a Paulinus who was a student of Illtud and a contemporary of S. David. But this is probably S. Paul Aurelian. Wrmonoc, author of the 'Life of S. Paul Aurelian,' probably borrowed his details for the early life of his saint in the neighbourhood of Llandovery from the tradition of S. Paulinus. Whether S. Paul Aurelian is really the same as the Carmarthenshire Paulinus is doubtful. An inscribed stone found in the parish of Caeo, north-west of Llandovery, has as part of its legend, 'HIC PAULINUS IACIT.' The metrical inscription, the character of the epigraphy, and the locality in which the monument was found, combine to suggest that this Paulinus is the Welsh saint of that name. But there is no positive evidence to make the identification certain. The 'Paulinus' mentioned on a pillar-stone found in the parish of Llantrisant, Anglesey, may also be this saint (Nash-Williams, 63). The church of Llan-gors, Brecknock, is dedicated to Paulinus. In the old parish of Llandingat, Carmarthenshire, Capel Peulin and Nant-y-bai chapel were both dedicated to Paulinus (according to Doble). 22 November is probably the true date of his festival.

Author

Published date: 1959

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