Saint Abraham of Carrhae
A hermit who became Bishop of Carrhae in the 5th century, Saint Abraham evangelized Mount Lebanon through his gentleness…
Category
solitary
103 saints
Saint Abraham of Chidane
Born in Mesopotamia in 300, Abraham fled his marriage to live as a hermit near Edessa. Ordained a priest, he converted a…
Saint Almachius (Telemachus)
A hermit from the East, Almachius (or Telemachus) traveled to Rome in 404 to put an end to the circus games. He threw hi…
Saint Almer (Almire)
A disciple of Saint Avitus from Auvergne, Saint Almire first lived at Micy before retiring as a hermit in the forests of…
Saint Amator (Rocamadour)
Identified with the Zacchaeus of the Gospel and husband of Saint Veronica, Saint Amateur retired in the 1st century to t…
Saint Ampelius (Apelles)
A 5th-century Egyptian blacksmith, Ampelius used his trade to serve God and the poor before exiling himself near Genoa t…
Saint Anastasia the Patrician
A patrician at the court of Justinian, Anastasia fled to Egypt to escape the jealousy of Empress Theodora. After foundin…
Saint Anastasius of Sinai
A monk and priest at Mount Sinai in the 7th century, Anastasius was a staunch defender of orthodoxy against Monophysite …
Saint Antimond
A solitary near Reims, Antimond was chosen by Saint Remi to restore the faith in Morinia in the 6th century. Despite a h…
Saint Armel (Ermel)
Born in Great Britain in 482, Saint Armel settled in Armorica in the 6th century to lead a rigorous monastic life. After…
Saint Arnulf (Arnoul)
Bishop of Metz in the 7th century and ancestor of the Carolingian dynasty, Saint Arnoul abandoned his office to end his …
Saint Arsenius of Rome (the Great)
Formerly the tutor to the sons of Emperor Theodosius in Constantinople, Arsenius left the court for the Egyptian desert …
Saint Aurea of Amiens
A young woman from Amiens in the 8th century, Aurea became the companion of Saint Ulpha in her solitude at Boves. She wa…
Saint Aurelia (Daughter of France)
Presumed daughter of Hugh Capet, Aurelia fled the French court to escape a forced marriage. She took refuge in Regensbur…
Saint Auxentius (Abbot)
Originally from Syria and a former imperial guard in Constantinople, Auxentius retired to Bithynia to lead a life as a m…
Saint Avertin
An English deacon and disciple of Saint Thomas Becket in the 12th century, Avertin settled in Touraine after the martyrd…
Blessed Bennon
A canon of Strasbourg who became a hermit in Switzerland, Bennon restored the site of Einsiedeln before being appointed …
Saint Bessarion the Solitary of Scetis
A solitary of the Scetis desert in the 4th century, Bessarion was distinguished by his radical humility and charity, liv…
Saint Boetius
An Irish nobleman and disciple of Saint Fursy, Boetien retired as a solitary to Pierrepont near Laon. His austere life a…
Saint Bond (Baud)
Originally from Sens, Baud settled in Spain where, deceived by a demonic vision, he accidentally killed his parents, who…
Saint Bruno of Cologne
Born in Cologne and a brilliant chancellor of Reims, Bruno left behind honors to found the Carthusian Order in 1084 in t…
Saint Cadoc
A Welsh prince who became a monk, Saint Cadoc founded the abbey of Llancarvan before exiling himself to Armorica to flee…
Saint Concordius
A native of Rome and son of Gordianus, Saint Concordius lived as a hermit before being arrested under Marcus Aurelius by…
Saint Donatus of Orléans
A priest originally from Orléans in the 6th century, Donatus retired to the solitude of the Lure Mountain after a pilgri…
Saint Eparchius (Cybard)
Originally from Périgord, Cybard renounced an administrative career to become a monk at Issigeac and then a recluse in A…
Saint Ephrem of Edessa
Born in Nisibis in the 4th century, Saint Ephrem was a Syrian deacon and poet famous for his humility and eloquence. Aft…
Saint Epiphanius of Salamis
Born in Palestine and heir to a wealthy Jew, Epiphanius became a learned monk before being elected Bishop of Salamis in …
Saint Eptadius of Autun
Born in Autun in the 5th century, Eptadius renounced a brilliant career and marriage to dedicate himself to God after a …
Saint Ernee and his companions
Originally from Aquitaine, Saint Ernée retired in the 6th century to the solitudes of the Passais with several companion…
Saint Euthymius the Great
Born in Melitene in the 4th century following a divine promise, Euthymius became one of the greatest abbots of Palestine…
Saint Evroul of Bayeux
A former high dignitary at the court of the Neustrian kings, Évroult left the world with his wife to embrace monastic li…
Saint Fiacre (Fèvre)
A 7th-century Scottish prince, Fiacre renounced the throne to live as a hermit in Brie under the protection of the Bisho…
Saint Frodulf (Frou)
A monk at the Abbey of Saint-Martin d'Autun and disciple of Saint Merry, Frodulfe accompanied his master on a pilgrimage…
Saint Gaon (Gand)
A nephew of Saint Wandrille and allied to the kings of Austrasia, Saint Gaon renounced worldly greatness for monastic li…
Saint Gaucher of Meulan
Originally from Meulan, Gaucher retired to Limousin in the 12th century to lead a hermit's life. Founder of the monaster…
Saint Geins (the Solitary of Bausset)
A hermit originally from the Comtat Venaissin, Saint Geins withdrew into the solitude of Bausset to devote himself to pr…
Saint Gerasimus
A monk originally from Lycia, Gerasimus settled in Palestine where he founded a famous laura near the Jordan River after…
Saint Gildas the Wise
Born in Great Britain in 494, Gildas the Wise was an abbot and writer famous for his austerity and erudition. After trai…
Saint Giles (Abbot)
A noble Athenian fleeing fame, Giles established himself as a hermit in Septimania. After being wounded by an arrow inte…
Saint Girard of Loiselière
A priest in Bazouges and later a monk at Saint-Aubin d'Angers in the 11th century, Girard distinguished himself through …
Blessed Gregory Lopez
Originally from Madrid, Gregory Lopez renounced his nobility to lead the life of a hermit in Navarre and then in New Spa…
Saint Gregory of Armenia (Bishop of Nicopolis)
Bishop of Nicopolis in Armenia, Gregory abandoned his see to flee honors and the Manichaean heresy. He settled as a recl…
Saint Gundelbert
Archbishop of Sens in the 7th century, Gundelbert left his see due to civil wars to retire into the solitude of the Vosg…
Saint Gunthiern (Gonthiern)
A former king of Cambria in the 6th century, Gunthiern renounced his crown to live as a solitary on the island of Groix …
Saint Guy (Guidon) the Poor of Anderlecht
A devoted sacristan in Laeken, Guy was tempted by trade before a shipwreck brought him back to the spiritual life. He sp…
Saint Helier (Helibert)
Born in Tongeren and converted to Christianity, Helier became a disciple of Saint Marcouf in Normandy before retiring as…
Saint Herbaud
A nobleman from Great Britain, Herbaud retired as a hermit in the diocese of Quimper in the 8th century. Renowned for hi…
Saint Jerome of Stridon
Born in Stridon in the 4th century, Saint Jerome was one of the greatest scholars of the Church, famous for his translat…
Saint John Climacus (Abbot of Mount Sinai)
Abbot of Mount Sinai, Saint John Climacus is the author of the mystical Ladder, a spiritual treatise structured in thirt…
Saint John Climacus (of the Ladder)
Originally from Palestine and a disciple of Gregory of Nazianzus, John Climacus withdrew to Mount Sinai at the age of si…
Saint John of Egypt (the Prophet)
A former carpenter who became a solitary in the Lower Thebaid, Saint John of Egypt was distinguished by his absolute obe…
Saint Landelin of Scotland
A 7th-century Scottish prince, Landelin retired as a hermit in the wilderness of the Ortenau region in Germany. Mistaken…
Saint Landulph (Lau)
A canon and later Bishop of Évreux in the 7th century, Saint Landulphe (or Lau) led a life of contemplation and extreme …
Saint Leobard (Leuvart)
A disciple of Saint Columbanus, Leobard founded the Abbey of Marmoutier in Alsace in the early 7th century on a royal es…
Saint Leobon of Saint-Étienne-de-Fursac
A 6th-century solitary from the Creuse, Saint Léobon lived as a hermit near Fursac and later at Salagnac. He is famous f…
Saint Leonard of Noblac
A Frankish nobleman baptized by Saint Remi, Leonard refused the honors of Clovis's court to retire as a hermit in the Li…
Saint Leonard of Vandoeuvre (or of Corbigny)
A 6th-century hermit established on the banks of the Sarthe, Leonard founded the monastery of Vandœuvre under the protec…
Saint Leonore (Lunaire)
Son of King Hoël I, Léonore was trained by Saint Iltut before becoming a bishop in Cambria. He emigrated to Armorica wit…
Saint Louans (Luperatus)
A monk of the Abbey of Micy in the 5th century, Louans retired near Chinon to live as a hermit, following the example of…
Saint Lucy of Scotland
A princess of Scotland who fled her rank to live in humility, Lucy settled in Lorraine as a laborer's servant. She ended…
Saint Macarius
Saint Macarius is the author of spiritual homilies and the founder of a famous monastery in the Nitrian Desert in Egypt.…
Saint Magloire of Dol
A cousin of Saint Samson, Magloire was abbot of Lanmeur and then of Dol before becoming bishop. Seeking solitude, he ret…
Saint Marinus of Rab
A stonemason originally from Dalmatia, Marinus settled in Rimini to assist persecuted Christians before retiring as a he…
Saint Maron
A 5th-century Syrian hermit and abbot, Saint Maron lived in asceticism on a mountain near Cyrrhus before founding numero…
Saint Maxe (Maximus)
Originally from Aquitaine and a former courtier, Saint Maxe withdrew into solitude before becoming abbot of Île Barbe in…
Saint Moses the Black (of Scetis)
A former Ethiopian slave who became a brigand leader, Moses converted radically and joined the monks of the Scetis deser…
Saint Moses, Bishop of the Saracens
A hermit famous for his virtues in the desert between Egypt and Palestine, Moses became Bishop of the Saracens at the re…
Saint Nicetas of Medikion
Abbot of the Medikion monastery in the 9th century, Nicetas was a heroic defender of the veneration of images against th…
Saint Nilammon
A recluse near the city of Geris in Egypt in the 5th century, Nilammon lived in a walled cell to dedicate himself to God…
Saint Nilus the Elder
A high dignitary and governor of Constantinople, Saint Nilus left his duties and family to embrace the solitary life on …
Saint Onuphrius (Anchorite)
A former monk of the Thebaid, Onuphrius lived for seventy years as a hermit in the Egyptian desert, clothed only by his …
Saint Patroclus (Parre)
Born into an illustrious family of Troyes, Patroclus (or Parre) chose a solitary life before being arrested during the p…
Saint Patroclus of Berry
Saint Patroclus, a native of Berry in the 6th century, left the court of King Childebert to embrace the clerical life in…
Saint Pimen (the Shepherd)
A 5th-century Egyptian abbot, Saint Poemen lived a life of rigorous austerity between the deserts of Scetis and Terenuth…
Saint Prior, Hermit of Nitria
A disciple of Saint Anthony in the 4th century, Prior lived as a hermit in the Nitrian Desert in Egypt. Known for his ra…
Saint Psalmodius (Saumay)
Originally from Great Britain and a disciple of Abbot Brandan, Psalmode retired to Aquitaine and then to the Limousin to…
Saint Rigomer and Saint Tenestine
A priest of the diocese of Le Mans in the 6th century, Saint Rigomer evangelized the Sonnois and founded the church of M…
Saint Ronan (Renan)
An Irish bishop who retired to Armorica in the 6th century, Ronan lived as a hermit in the Léon and later in Cornouaille…
Saint Rosalie of Palermo
Descended from the royal blood of Charlemagne, Rosalie left the Sicilian court at the age of fourteen to live as a solit…
Saint Schetzelon (Scocelin)
A 12th-century solitary living in the Diocese of Trier, Schetzelon led a life of extreme austerity, living naked in the …
Saint Senoch (Senou) of Tiffauges
An abbot in Touraine in the 6th century, Saint Senoch lived a life of extreme austerity, wearing chains and dedicating h…
Saint Serenus (Cerneuf)
Of Greek origin, Serenus retired to Sirmium to live as a Christian gardener. Falsely denounced by a woman he had reprima…
Saint Severinus of Agaune
Abbot of the monastery of Agaune in Valais in the 5th century, Severinus was famous for his holiness and miracles. Summo…
Saint Severinus of Noricum
A hermit from the East who came to Noricum in the 5th century, Severinus became the protector of the populations facing …
Saint Sigisbert (Sigebert)
An Irish monk and companion of Saint Columbanus, Sigisbert lived at Luxeuil before settling as a hermit in the Swiss Alp…
Saint Simeon of Passais
A priest and solitary of the 9th century, Siméon lived as a hermit at Vaucé before evangelizing the Passais region under…
Saint Simeon Salus (the Fool)
Originally from Edessa, Simeon lived for twenty-nine years as a hermit near the Dead Sea before traveling to Emesa to si…
Saint Simeon Stylites the Elder
Born in Syria in the 4th century, Simeon left herding to embrace a life of extreme asceticism. He became famous for livi…
Saint Sisoes (Sisoy)
An Egyptian anchorite of the 5th century, Sisoes lived for seventy-two years in the desert, notably on the mountain of S…
Saint Stapin of Dourgne
Originally from Dourgne, Saint Stapin first led the life of a hermit before being elected Bishop of Carcassonne between …
Saint Tenenan (Tinidor)
Saint Tenenan, a priest fleeing his homeland for solitude, settled in Armorican Brittany in the forest of Benzic. Having…
Saint Theodore the Sanctified (Abbot of Tabennisi)
A privileged disciple of Saint Pachomius in Egypt during the 4th century, Theodore the Sanctified became Abbot of Tabenn…
Saint Trivier
A 6th-century Neustrian monk, Trivier freed two captive nobles and accompanied them back to the Dombes, miraculously gui…
Saint Ulpha (Virgin and Recluse)
A solitary virgin of the 8th century, Saint Ulphe settled near Amiens to flee the world. Under the guidance of Saint Dom…
Saint Veronica
A disciple of Christ identified with the woman with the issue of blood who was healed, Veronica is famous for having wip…
Saint Viatre of Tremble-Vif
A monk of the Abbey of Micy in the 6th century, Saint Viatre retired to the marshy moors of Sologne to live as a hermit.…
Saint Victor of Campbon
Saint Victor was a 6th-century solitary established in Cambon, in the Diocese of Nantes. Leading an angelic life far fro…
Saint Vincentian (Viance)
Saint Vincentien, known as Viance, was a humble serf and groom in the 7th century in Anjou and Limousin. Despite the per…
Blessed Vital
Born near Bayeux, Blessed Vital was a hermit who collaborated with Robert of Arbrissel before retiring to the forest of …
Saint Voue (Wodoel)
An Irish monk who became a recluse in Soissons in the 8th century, Saint Voué lived a life of asceticism and charity nea…
Saint Vulgis (Vulgius)
A disciple of Saint Remi in the 6th century, Vulgis fled the honors of Clovis's court to live for forty years as a hermi…
Saint Walbert
A former Sicambrian nobleman and soldier, Walbert became the third abbot of Luxeuil in the 7th century. During his forty…
Saint Wulmer (Wilmer)
A native of Morinia, Saint Wulmer was initially a humble religious at Hautmont before becoming a priest and withdrawing …