Theofrid of Carmery

Holy Venerable Martyr Theofrid of Carmery, called Chaffre in French, was born at Orange in southern Gaul and became abbot of the monastery of Carmery-⁠en-⁠Velay (today Le Monastier-⁠sur-⁠Gazeille), near Le Puy. He died in 728 or 732 at the hands of Saracen raiders and is venerated as a martyr. He is a saint of the undivided Church.

He entered the monastery in the time of his uncle Eudo, the first abbot. According to tradition, when the raiders drew near, Theofrid told the monks to hide in the forest while he stayed near the monastery. They found him at prayer, dragged him away and struck him fatally on the head with a stone. The legend says the earth shook and a storm of lightning, hail and wind scattered the attackers; Theofrid lived seven more days. His veneration spread in southern France in the 11th century. In Piedmont it became mixed up with that of a saint called Chiaffredo.

He is commemorated on 19 October, the liturgical date in the Orthodox calendar (the same day number on the old and new calendars).