St Fridolin - an Irishman with power and influence in Europe in the Middle Ages

Saint Fridolin was an Irish-born saint who became well-known and influential through his travels and evangelising around Europe in the 6th century. I have just written an Irishman's Diary about Fridolin in the Irish Times newspaper. Read it here.

Fridolin of Säckingen. Image source.

He spent a long period of time in Germany and Switzerland, so much so in fact, that he became known as 'Fridolin of Säckingen' and the 'Enlightener of the Upper Rhine'.

Throughout Europe today, you can still find references to Fridolin, whether it is in churches, monasteries or in cultural traditions, such as the bonfires that are lit in the Swiss canton of Glarus on 6 March each year. Fridolin is the patron saint of the canton and the day marks his feast day. The fires are known as 'Fridolin's fire'.

St. Fridolin by Albrecht Dürer. Image source.