Biography
Afan
About Afan
Afan is remembered as a Welsh saint associated with the Builth district. The Dictionary of Welsh Biography connects his memory with the churches of Llanafan Fawr, Llanafan Fach and Llanafan near the Ystwyth. His individual life is much less securely known than this local remembrance.
Baring-Gould and Fisher place him in the early sixth century and give a traditional genealogy through Cedig, Ceredig and Cunedda. This is received genealogical tradition, not a contemporary account of his career. Their discussion does not establish a date of birth or death.
The strongest material evidence discussed by the Welsh biography is the medieval inscription at Llanafan Fawr, dating to about 1300, which commemorates Afan as a saint and bishop. That title does not necessarily mean that he governed a diocese. The inscription belongs to a much later period than his traditionally assigned lifetime.
Baring-Gould and Fisher likewise question the inference that Llanafan Fawr was an episcopal seat. They describe the grave inscription as late-thirteenth- or fourteenth-century lettering, and distinguish it from evidence of where Afan exercised episcopal office. Traditions about his death at the hands of attackers cannot securely supply its circumstances.
Gerald of Wales preserves a story about a man who profaned the church of Saint Avan and suffered blindness, followed by a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. This is a religious narrative about the sacredness of the church. It records medieval devotion to the place, but supplies no contemporary evidence about Afan’s own life.
The Norwegian Catholic account lists his commemoration on 16 November. Baring-Gould and Fisher record November 16 in some calendars and November 17 in others. The Welsh biography instead gives October 16 or 17; this differs from the November dates in the book it cites. These variations should remain visible rather than be treated as a known anniversary of his death.
Wondering how to weigh the stories and sources? Learn how to read a saint biography.