Saint Meinhard
First bishop of Livonia (ca 1130 – ca 1196)
About Saint Meinhard
Lived 1130 – 1196 (aged 65–66). Saint Meinhard was a catholic priest and catholic bishop.
Saint Meinhard (1134 or 1136 – August 14 or October 11, 1196) was a German Augustinian canon regular and the first bishop of Livonia. His life was described in the Livonian Chronicle of Henry. His body rests in the now-Lutheran Riga Cathedral, as his remains were moved to Riga in 1226. He is venerated as the apostle of the Church in Latvia (Livonia in the Middle Ages).
Life As a canon at the Segeberg Abbey in Holstein, Meinhard was possibly inspired by Vicelinus missionary work among the Slavs. For conservation the ruins were covered with metal in 2002.
Another stone castle was built in Salaspils (German: Holm) as a gift to newly converted pagans. But the inhabitants rebelled and attacked Meinhard attempting to drive him out of Livonia.
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Important facts
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Saint Meinhard's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Saint Meinhard?
first bishop of Livonia (ca 1130 – ca 1196)
When was Saint Meinhard born?
Saint Meinhard was born in 1130 in Schleswig-Holstein.
When did Saint Meinhard die?
Saint Meinhard died in 1196 in Ikšķile.
What was Saint Meinhard's occupation?
Saint Meinhard was a catholic priest and catholic bishop.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Saint Meinhard. https://biography.guide/saint-meinhard/
MLA: "Saint Meinhard." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/saint-meinhard/.
Chicago: "Saint Meinhard." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/saint-meinhard/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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