Saint Llwchaiarn

Llwchaiarn or Llwchayarn (born 580) was a 7th-century male saint and the patron saint of the churches of Saint Llwchaiarn, Llanmerewig and Llanllwchaiarn, both in the old cantref of Cedewain, Powys, as well as Llanychaearn and Llanllwchaearn in Ceredigion. The name 'Llanmerewig' comes from 'Llam yr ewig' (leap of the hind), and a story about the young deer's leap is associated with Llwchaiarn. His feast day is celebrated on either 11 or 12 January. He is said to have been the son of Hygarfael ap Cyndrwyn of Caereinion, Powys, and a brother to the saints Aelhaiarn and Cynhaiarn (patron saint of Saint Cynhaiarn's Church, Ynys Ystumllyn near Cricieth, Gwynedd). He was possibly a cousin of Saint Beuno. Bonedd y Saint notes that he was the son of Cerfael and mentions his connection with Cedewain, Powys. Another manuscript (Peniarth MS 100; 16th century) states that he was the son of 'Cerfael' or 'Kynfael'. In Old Welsh, the word 'llwch' can mean 'lake'. The poet Sion Ceri (fl. c. 1500 – c. 1530) wrote a cywydd to Llwchaiarn in which the saint is called 'Llwchayarn, Soldier and Saint, of Llanmerewig'.