LOCAL NEWS
Today marks the feast day of Saint Elli (patron saint of Llanelli)
From what we are told, Elli (fl. 6th century) was the son of the Queen of the islands of Grimbul (thought to be in the Mediterranean). During his travels, Saint Cadoc landed on this island, whose Queen could not become pregnant. She implored Cadoc to help her and through the power of prayer, she successfully conceived a son she named Elli.
The Queen was so taken by Cadoc’s religion that she entrusted Elli into his care, to be raised as a Christian. Cadoc then brought the child back with him to his religious community at Llancarfan.
Cadoc’s father was Gwynllyw, the King of Gwynllwg, an area between the Rhymney and Usk rivers. Gwynllyw was a much-feared local warlord and Cadoc sent his three most trusted disciples, Elli, Finnian and Gnavan to encourage Gwynllyw to abandon his life of violence and to embrace Christianity.
They were so successful, that Gwynllyw’s decided to abdicate his kingship and retire to a religious life. Elli later succeeded Cadoc as abbot at Llancarfan and is also associated with the churches and settlements at Llanelli in Carmarthenshire and Llanelli in Breconshire.
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