Coloman of Stockerau

Who was Coloman of Stockerau?

Saint Coloman of Stockerau, is a saint of the Catholic Church.

Originally known as Colmán, he was an Irish pilgrim en route to the Holy Land "was mistaken for a spy because of his strange appearance, tortured, and hanged at Stockerau, near Vienna, Austria, on 16 July 1012. Later tradition has it that he was a son of Máel-Sechnaill, high king of Ireland."

At the time of his death, there were continual skirmishes among Austria, Moravia, and Bohemia. Coloman spoke no German, so he could not give an understandable account of himself. He was hanged alongside several robbers.

According to Aidan Breen, "He was made a saint by the local people, possibly out of remorse for the deed and because of his endurance under torture and the many miracle reported from where his body was buried."