Saint Germanus (known by the Manx locals as Saint German, Noo Carmane in Manx), was the first Bishop of Mann. He lived in the fifth century and most likely born in 410. He is particularly venerated on the Isle of Man, where he is one of the principal saints of and it is from his name that the parish German comes from. St. Germanus was actually born in Brittany, and he was the nephew of Saint Patrick of Ireland.

 

By the year 440 he had become a monk, and it is here were we learn of some of his labours and holy struggles as a missionary together with St. Patrick in Ireland. The future hierarch also led the ascetic life in Wales for many years under Sts. Illtyd and Brioc and Missionary work in parts of North Wales is attributed to him. After spending some time in Wales and then Brittany, in the 460s Germanus visited Britain and Ireland again where he met again with St. Patrick his uncle, who he spent precious time with, studying with him, and who also appointed him to be Bishop of the Isle of Man where he would remain until his blessed repose in the year 474 or 475. He and his companions successfully spread Christianity among the Manx, but most details of his missionary labours were sadly lost, in fact, very little information on Saint Germanus survives. He is also mentioned in the lives of some other saints and is present in a number of ancient traditions.

 

A seventeenth century ballad, Mannanan Beg Mac y Lir, describes him as a wonderworker and founder of many keeills across the Island.   It also reports that he died before his work on Mann was completed. The Chronicles of Mann, written in the Rushen Abbey by the fourteenth century, mention St. Germanus as a disciple of Saint Patrick who established his base and bishopric on St. Patrick’s Isle at Peel.

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The Feast Day of Saint Germanus is celebrated on July 3rd according to the Orthodox Calendar.

O Holy Hierarch Germanus, intercede on our behalf!