been the first of that Nation recorded in our Ecclesiasticall Monuments to have been gained to Christ, not long after their en∣trance into Brittany, before, an open hosti∣lity broke forth between the Nations.
3. Concerning him we read thus in the Ecclesiasticall Office of his Solemnity in the Church of Andria: Richard, by Nation an En∣glishman, was born in that Island of illustrious parents in the year of Grace four hundred fifty five, at which time S. Leo the first governed the Church, and Marcian the Roman Empire, when Ateila infested Italy. He is here improperly call'd an Englishman: for though the Angli were at that time in Brittany, and probably S. Richard was descended of a family of that particular Nation, yet many yeares pass'd before the Island received from them the ap∣pellation of England.
4. The said Office further prosecutes the Narration of the piety and innocence expres∣sed by this Saint even in his tender years: how a verse he was from wantonnes and lu∣xury incident to that age, wholly giving himself to reading of Holy Scripture, con∣versing with men of learning and vertue, &c. insomuch as he gained not only fer∣vent love from his parents, but veneration from his companions and strangers.
5 But because the following wars, and especially the Idolatrous Rites of his countrey∣men the Saxons, furious enemies of the Re∣ligion to which our Lord had call'd him, were a hindrance to his free progress in piety, there we further read how he was miracu∣lously invited to forsake his countrey, and to depart ino Italy: For thus it follows in the said Office, Whilst the Blessed S. Richard was assiduously intent on his devotions and prayers to God, there appear'd to him in sleep the glorious Apostle S. Peter, commanding him in the name of Almighty God to take a journey into Apulia, and there to preach the word of God to the An∣drians: That he should not apprehend the length of the way, or the threatnings of Infidels, because our Lord would be present to assist him. Having said this, the Apostle vanish'd. And S. Richard being awak'd from sleep immediatly rose, and cas∣ting himself before a Crucifix gave humble thanks to God and S. Peter for this Visitation. The day following he forsook his Brethren, who were persons of power and eminence, and taking leave of his dearest freinds, began his journey notwith∣standing their importunity to detain him. Being arrived at Rome, he address'd himself to the Holy Pape Gelasius, and declar'd what com∣mands had been in a Vision impos'd on him by the Holy Apostle; thereupon beseeching him that with his permission and blessing, he might goe to Andria, there to fullfull the Ministery enjoyn'd him. Gelasius hearing this did greatly rejoyce, and observing the venerable aspect of S. Richard, together with his gravity, ordained him Bishop of the Church of Andria, and commanded him that whither soever he went, he should preach the Gospell of Christ: and this done, kis∣sing the holy man, he gave him his bene••iction.
6. Through the whole course of his journey S. Richard accordingly preach'd the word of God, and by many miracles and cures wrought on the sick converted many to the Faith and worship of the true God: till at length he arrived at An∣dria. There before the gate of the Citty he saw a blind man, and a woman bowd and contracted together, both which begg'd an Alms of him. Whereupon he began to expound to them the Word of God, &c. and perceiving the blind man to be devoutly attentive to his speeches, he said to him: If thou wilt beleive in Iesus Christ and be baptis'd, thou shalt receive thy sight. Who answer'd, I believe in Iesus Christ whom thou preachest, and I beg that I may be baptis'd. As∣soon as this was said, the Holy man with his hands making the sign of the Crosse upon the blind mans eyes, he immediatly recover'd his sight, and casting away the staves which had help'd him in walking, he gave due thanks to God and to S. Richard, by whom he had been enlightned. As for the woman, when she saw this miracle, she likewise was converted: and S. Richard seeing her Faith, took her by the hand, whereupon she presently rose up streight, and walking cryed with a loud voyce, There is onely one most high God, who by his good servant hath made mee whole. At these clamours of the woman the greatest part of the Citty met together, and attending to the Holy Bisphops preaching were in a short time converted, God working many other Miracles by him: and having broken down all their Idols, were baptis'd by him.
7. Not long after this there follow'd the foresayd Apparition of S. Michael to the people of Sipont••, who commanded them to erect a Chap∣pell there to his name: This they signified to their Bishop Laurentius, and he to Pope Gelasius, de∣siring his advice, what was to be done. His an∣swer was, that such being the will of the Blessed Archangel, a Church should forthwith be built. And that this should be executed by the Holy Bishops, Laurentius of Siponto, Sabinus of Car∣nusium, Pelagius of Salapia, Roger of Cannae, and Richard of Andria.
8. Then follows a Narration how the two Holy Bishops Roger of Cannae, and Richard of Andria performed their journey to Siponto on foot with dayly fasting, toylsome labour, and incommodity from the burning heat of the Sun. Which incommodity on their prayers was miraculously remedied by the flying of a mighty Eagle over their heads, which shadow'd them during all their jour∣ney to Siponto. At their arrivall they exe∣cuted what had been enjoyn'd them, as we read in the publick Office of the Church.
To conclude, no more doe we find recorded of this Holy Bishop,
but his holy and happy death, commemorated in our Martyrologe
on the Ninth of April.