Veronus of Lembeek

Veronus of Lembeek is a medieval folk saint, venerated in his adopted town of Lembeek, near Halle, close to the language border in Belgium. He was born at the beginning of the 9th century and reposed on 31 January 863.

According to tradition, though a great-⁠grandson of Charlemagne, he chose to live in the humblest condition, like Christ at Nazareth, and won great fame for holiness before his death. Tradition says that, before withdrawing as a hermit, he foretold that his death would be accompanied by wonderful signs. His sister, Verona of Leefdaal, then found him dead, with his body still unharmed.

He is remembered liturgically on 31 January. Each year, on Easter Monday, a Saint Veronus walk is held at Lembeek.

He is a folk saint of the West, of the undivided Church; no Orthodox synodal canonization is known, and the story of his life, with his royal ancestry, is legendary.