Assicus

Saint Assicus
Assicus in a stained glass window of Sligo Cathedral
Saint Patrick's coppersmith and Bishop of Elphin
Born	unknown
Died	c. 490 Racoon, County Donegal, Ireland
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, Anglican Communion
Feast	27 April
Patronage	Elphin, Ireland

Saint Assicus (Asicus, Assic) was the first bishop of Elphin, Ireland, and venerated as the patron saint of that place.

Assicus was a friend of St. Patrick, and a skilled metal worker in brass and copper. Converted to Christianity by Saint Patrick, he is also said to have been Patrick's worker in iron.

At Elphin, Patrick built a church, called through centuries, "Tempull Phadruig" (Patrick's church). There he established an episcopal monastery, one of the first monasteries founded by him. He appointed Assicus as abbot-bishop, and with him left Bite, son of the brother of Assicus, and Cipia, mother of Bite. Assicus was of the family of Hono, a druid of wealth and influence, from whom Patrick obtained the land.

Under the Brehon Law, craftsmen were well respected in ancient Ireland. The first bishop of Elphin is described in the "Book of Armagh" as the cerd, (the wright or goldsmith) of St. Patrick. Assicus made chalices, patens, and metal book-covers for the churches founded by Patrick.

In the Tripartite Life of St Patrick is stated:

Assicus was an expert metal worker, and was also renowned as a bellfounder. Following the example of their masters, the successors and spiritual children of St. Assicus founded a school of art and produced beautiful objects of Celtic workmanship in the Diocese of Elphin.

Of his last days the following graphic description is given by Archbishop Healy:

His feast is celebrated 27 April, as is recorded in the Martyrology of Tallaght under that date.

He is sometimes thought to be the same man as St. Tassac and St. Assam / St. Assan, or both.