St. Giles was a 7th-century Christian hermit and monk who became known for his deep devotion to God and his service to the poor and sick. He founded a monastery in southern France, which later became a place of pilgrimage. St. Giles is considered the patron saint of beggars, the disabled, and protection from evil.
St. Giles is believed to have been born around the year 640 AD, though much of his early life remains a mystery. According to legend, he was born in Athens, Greece, to noble parents but chose a life of poverty and solitude in order to follow Christ more closely. He eventually became a hermit in the wilderness of southern France, near the town of Nîmes.
St. Giles is best known for founding a monastery near the Rhone River, which later became a prominent pilgrimage site, especially for those seeking healing. His great compassion and care for the poor, disabled, and sick were at the heart of his mission, and he was revered for his miracles of healing. He was also known for his humility and deep devotion to God, living a simple life of prayer and penance.
He passed away on September 1, 710 AD, and his feast day is celebrated on that date. The town of Saint-Gilles in France, named in his honor, became an important center of pilgrimage during the Middle Ages, especially for those traveling to Santiago de Compostela.
St. Giles is considered the patron saint of beggars, the disabled, and protection from evil. He is often depicted in art with a bow and arrow, symbolizing the legend that he was wounded by an arrow while protecting a deer, which later became associated with him.