Eadfrith of Leominster

Holy Venerable Eadfrith of Leominster (Edfrid, Eadfrid) was a priest from Northumbria, a missionary in Mercia and the founder of the monastery of Leominster in England, and he reposed in 675. He is a saint of the undivided Church.

He is little known from contemporary sources, and his life rests on the tradition of Leominster minster. This says he came from Northumbria, preached among the Hwicce, and around 660 converted King Merewalh of the Magonsæte, a contemporary and possibly a son of King Penda of Mercia. Also by tradition, he founded about that time the convent of Leominster, later a priory of the monks of Reading. His veneration is attested above all in the Secgan Manuscript, a list of English saints, and in the Anglo-⁠Saxon Chronicle. He was buried at Leominster.

He is commemorated on 26 October, the liturgical date in the Orthodox calendar (the same day number on the old and new calendars).