Leudwinus
| Saint Leudwinus | |
|---|---|
Saint Lietwinus of Treves
|
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| Archbishop of Treves | |
| Born | c. 660 Mettlach (today Merzig-Wadern, Saarland, Germany) |
| Died | September 29, 722 (aged 61–62) Treves, Austrasia (today Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany) |
| Venerated in |
Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Major shrine | Lutwinuskirche, Mettlach Abbey |
| Feast | September 29 |
| Attributes | Eagle |
Saint Leudwinus, Count of Treves (Leodewin, Liutwin, Ludwin) (c. 660 - † 29. September, 722 in Reims) founded an abbey in Mettlach. He was Archbishop of Treves and Laon. As patron saint of the Mettlach parish, his relics are carried through the town by procession at the annual Pentecost celebration. His feast day is September 23. He was the son of Saint Warinus, the paternal grandson of Saint Sigrada, and nephew of Saint Leodegarius.
Leudwinus was born a French nobleman and was a member of one of the most powerful clans in Austrasia. His father, Warinus, was Count of Poitiers and Gunza of Metz.Lambert of Maastricht was his kinsman. His Frankish name is Liutwin. Leudwinus spent his early life at the royal court of Austrasia and was styled Count of Treves. He received his education from his maternal uncle, Saint Basinus, Archbishop of Treves. In 697, Leudwinus signed the Deed of Echternach with his uncle.
Initially uninterested in an ecclesiastical career, Leudwinus married Willigard of Bavaria. Their children were:
According to legend, the abbey in Mettlach was founded after Leudwinus went hunting near Saar. He grew tired and fell asleep under the shade of a tree. As he slept the sun changed positions exposing him to its hot rays, but an eagle swept down and sat on Leudwinus with its wings spread out. When Leudwinus woke up, his servant told him how the eagle had protected him from being burnt by the sun. Coincidentally, Leudwinus happened to be napping at the site of the Miracle Eagle near the chapel of St. Denis of Paris. Leudwinus saw this as a God-sent sign to establish a Benedictine monastery at that site, and it soon developed into a Christian missionary center. At the location of the original Dionysius Chapel now stands the parish church of St. Gangolf in Mettlach.
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