Saint Teilo

Saint Teilo
St Teilo in Holy Trinity Church, Abergavenny
Born	c. 500 Penally, Pembrokeshire, UK
Died	c. 560 Llandeilo Fawr
Venerated in	Eastern Orthodox Church Roman Catholic Church
Feast	9 February (Wales) 25 November (Brittany) 29 November (Dol)
Patronage	Cardiff

Saint Teilo (Latin: Teliarus or Teliavus; Breton: Teliau or Telo; French: Télo or Théleau; c. 500 – 9 February c. 560), also known by his Cornish name Eliud, was a British Christian monk, bishop, and founder of monasteries and churches from Penalun (Penally) near Tenby in Pembrokeshire, south Wales.

Reputed to be a cousin, friend, and disciple of Saint David, he was bishop of Llandaff and founder of the first church at Llandaff Cathedral, where his tomb is. He also founded Llandeilo Fawr, as well as Penally Abbey at his place of birth.

St Teilo may have been known as Eliau or Eilliau in Old Welsh. He was born at Penalun (Penally) around the year 500. Teilo was the son of Saint Issel (Welsh: Usyllt) and uncle of Saints Ismael and Euddogwy. In some modern sources, he is accounted the grandson of Ceredig son of Cunedda and thus a member of the royal family of Gwynedd which later considered Saint David among its members. However, that rather dubious connection to a northern dynasty seems to depend on the Iolo Manuscripts now known to have been forged by Edward Williams.