(ABOUT A.D. 900.)
[Gallican Martyrology; on this day at Bayonne. By Saussaye and
Ferrarius on March 3rd. Authority:--Two lives of no great antiquity,
one written shortly after 1293.]
Leo, Gervase, and Philip, were the three sons of pious parents in
the North of France; Leo was elected to be archbishop of Rouen, but
resigned his government of the diocese into the hands of vicars, and
betook himself with his two brothers to Bayonne, where Christianity
had made but small progress, much heathen superstition remained, and a
colony of Moors had settled there. He was well received, and succeeded
in making many converts, but was killed by some pirates who had lived
in the town, but had been ejected by the citizens on account of their
nefarious deeds. According to the legend, a spring of water bubbled up
where S. Leo fell, and he arose and carried his head to the place where
he had last been preaching.
He is represented in Art, at Bayonne, where he is greatly venerated, as
a bishop, holding his head in his hands.