Budoc

Budoc of Dol (also Budeaux or Beuzec) was a 5th-century Breton monk and Bishop of Dol, who has been venerated since his death as a saint in both Brittany (in France) and Devon (in England). Budoc is the patron saint of Plourin in Finistère where his relics are preserved. His feast day was originally celebrated on 8 December, the date still used in Devon, but in Brittany this has been transferred to 9 December.

Name The name Budoc, or Beuzec, means "saved from the waters" from the Breton beuziñ meaning "drown"; but Baring-Gould finds this "fanciful".

Hagiographer G.H. Doble is of the opinion that Budoc was a once-famous abbot whose chief establishment was on the Breton coast. He eventually left Ireland, sailing in a stone trough that landed at Porspoder.

At some unknown point, Budoc made his way to Dol, where he was named bishop of the region, possibly in connection with a monastery allegedly founded by Samson of Dol, whom he is believed to have succeeded as the local bishop.

Budoc in Southwest England Budoc is reputed to have sailed across the Plymouth Sound, until he found an inlet on the Devon side of the River Tamar. He landed in Budshead Creek, part of the present district of Plymouth called St Budeaux. His supposed activity suggests the foundation of an early church in Plymouth. However, there is no evidence of the name in Devon prior to the 16th century. There is also an ancient church said to have been dedicated by him at Budock in Cornwall, and there was once one in Oxford too.

Budoc's feastday is celebrated in Devon on 8 December.

Troparion of Saint Budoc Thou wast miraculously preserved from the ocean's fury and, being sustained by the hand of God, thou didst devote thyself to his service, O Hierarch Budoc. Being showered with both temporal and spiritual honours both in Armagh and in Dol, thou didst labour to win souls for Christ, therefore we implore thine aid, begging Christ our God that he will save our souls.