8th century
Feast: September 1
A hermit whose deer companion led to his discovery by hunters and eventual fame for holiness.
Giles (died 710) was a Greek hermit who settled in southern France to live in solitude. According to legend, he lived with a deer that provided him milk, and when the deer was shot by hunters, they discovered the holy hermit. The local king was so impressed by Giles holiness that he built him a monastery, which became the famous Abbey of Saint-Gilles. Giles became one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages, with his shrine attracting pilgrims from across Europe. His story represents the balance between solitude and service.