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Old St. Mellons, Llaneirwg, each of these names have a story to tell. So lets begin:
Look back through old welsh records and you'll find no mention of St. Mellon. You have to travel to France, to the ancient city of Rouen. For in its cathedral lies his tomb.
He was born in 229 AD in Cardiola (Cardiff) to nobel parentage (family name Probus) and was selected to travel to Rome with other youths. The romans used these youths as hostages to maintain their rule in the colonies. These youths were presented to the imperial exchequer with their tribute and were then taken to a pagan temple to participate in sacrificial worship of the roman gods. The emperor of the time was Valerian who was fiercely opposed to Christianity. One day whilst young Mellon walked with friends he can across Pope Stephen preaching the gospel. Mellon was intrigued and stayed to hear the sermon whilst his friends departed. At the end of the sermon, Pope Stephen conversed with Mellon and upon learning of his origin proceeded to instruct Mellon in the ways of god, and the foolishness of idolatry.
Mellon was baptised and gave all his worldly possessions to the poor and soon aftwards was ordained a priest. Later he became a Bishop being consecrated by Pope Stephen.
In 257 AD Pope Stephen was martyred and so Mellon left for Gaul (France). In the year 261 AD he was made Bishop of Rouen. It is said that Bishop Mellon arrived in Rouen using a walking stick lent him by an Angel.
In 311 AD Mellon voluntarily retired his Bishopric, he was 82 years old.
Mellon dealt himself hardship after hardship. He slept in a sitting position, prayed 300 times a night on his knees, ate only barley bread and drunk only water. He wore a metal girdle, fitting him so tightly that it sank deep into his flesh.
One day during a sermon a young boy, climbing to a high vantage point, lost his footing and fell to his death in front of Bishop Mellon. The distraught Bishop prostrate himself across the boy's body and brought back to life.
He died in 314 AD aged 85. His tomb is in Rouen Cathedral.
Llaneirwg
Eirwg - Son of Bran, King of Gwent in the year 180AD.
More to follow ........................... !
