Burchard of Meissen

Burchard of Meissen was the first bishop of Meissen, from 968, and he died on 25 September 969. He is honored as a saint and traditionally remembered on 14 June.

Archbishop Adalbert of Magdeburg consecrated him bishop at Magdeburg, and he established the first cathedral chapter of Meissen. The only sure facts about him are his name, his consecration, the day of his death and the founding of the chapter. Since there was no other news, a traditional account arose, according to which he died on 14 June 970 or 972 from a fall from his horse; it has no support in evidence and is considered a legend today. He is also said to have been a Benedictine monk at Saint Emmeram in Regensburg or at Saint John in Magdeburg, but this too is unproven. His name points to a possible kinship with the houses of the Burchardings, the counts of Goseck, the early Wettins and the Liudolfings.

He is a saint of the West, of the undivided Church; no Orthodox synodal canonization is known.