Saint Bavo

Saint Bavo, also known as Bavon, Allowin, Bavo of Ghent, Baaf, (589 - 654) is a Roman Catholic saint.

Life

Bavo was born in Brabant, Liège, Belgium, a Belgian Nobleman originally named Allowin. Wild as a youth, selfish. He was known to have sold servants to local nobles as slaves. Bavo was converted to Christianity upon hearing a sermon preached by Saint Amand.

He built an abbey on his grounds that was contributed to Saint Amand and then became a monk. He finally distributed his belongings to the poor and lived as a recluse, first in a hollow tree, later in a cell in the forest near the Abbey.

He died at St. Bavo's Abbey, in today's Belgium.

Recognition

Bavo is the patron saint of Ghent, Belgium and Haarlem, Netherlands.

Memorial Day: October 1.

Several churched are dedicated to him, including:

• Saint Bavo Cathedral, in Ghent
• Sint-Bavokerk, in Haarlem

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