St. Kilian

Kilian is also known as Killena and Cillíne. He was born around 640 in either Ireland or Scotland to noble parents. Some historic facts of his life are not certain. Some sources report that he was a monk at the monastery of Hy and became the abbot. He became a bishop and later traveled with companions to Gaul to do missionary work. In 686 they arrived at Würzburg, which he decided to evangelize. After traveling to Rome to secure the blessing of the pope on his missionary work, Kilian returned to Würzburg and proceed to work across East Franconia and Thuringia. He converted Duke Gozbert and many of his people to Christianity, but made an of enemy of the duke’s wife Geilana. Geilana was the widow of Gozbert’s brother and Killian explained that their marriage had been contracted contrary to Christian morals. When Gozbert promised to separate from her, Geilana plotted to have Kilian and his two companions murdered. It thought the murders occurred July 8, 689. Kilian is known as the Apostle of Franconia. His feast is July 8. A New Testament belonging to Kilian is preserved at the University of Würzburg.