\nJuly 8, reminder<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n | Position:<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\nmissionary bishop and martyr<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n | Death:<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n7th century BC.<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n | Patron:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\nFranks, Diocese of W\u00fcrzburg; plasterers and coopers; invoked against eye diseases, gout and rheumatism<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n | Attributes:<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\nbishop, dagger, sword, palm tree<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\nHe came from Ireland and as a bishop he went to preach the Gospel to Herbipolis (W\u00fcrzburg) in Austrasia (today’s Saxony in Germany). Like John the Baptist, he rebuked the local Duke Gosbert. And like John, for his exhortation to faithful observance of Christian morals, he achieved martyrdom by being excommunicated from the guidance of a sinful woman.<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\nHE PAID WITH HIS HEAD FOR CHURCHING MORALS<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\nThe place seemed most suitable to Kilian, but he considered it necessary to have a papal commission and blessing. That same year he therefore set out for Rome with Coloman and Donatus. Kilian obtained Pope Colonus’s willing permission and blessing and returned as a bishop.<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\nAfter committing the crime, the murderers dug a pit in which they buried the bodies of the martyrs on the spot, along with liturgical books, vessels and robes, as Gailana had wished. Some sources give the year of Kilian’s death as 689, but since this information is not considered reliable by experts, only the 7th century is given in the martyrology.<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\nGosbert agreed to the proposal. The murderer, after being freed, is said to have begun to tear his own body in madness until he died. After the horrific scene, the Christians were strengthened in their faith. The second murderer also committed suicide, and Gailana is said to have suffered and died in pain.<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\nIn the rebuilt church, the heads of his alleged co-martyrs are placed in a reliquary on the main altar with Kilian’s head. Kilian’s sarcophagus is located in the crypt there. Charles IV obtained two of Kilian’s shoulder bones for St. Vitus Cathedral.<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n |