ELOI (ELIGIus), SAINT (588-659), bishop of Noyon and apostle of the Belgians and Frisians, was born at Cadillac, near Limoges. Trained as a goldsmith, he became coiner to Clotaire II., king of the Franks, and treasurer to his successor Dagobert. Both kings entrusted him with important artistic works, and though he was amassing great wealth, Eloi resolved to become a priest. He retired to a monastery, but in 64o was raised to the bishopric of Noyon. He made frequent missionary excursions to the Low Countries, where he founded many monasteries and churches. He died on Dec. 1, 659. St. Eloi is the patron saint of goldsmiths.
Migne's Patrol. Lat. vol. 87 contains his Homilies and his life written by his friend St. Ouen (Audoenus), French trans. Paris, 1626, 1847 and 187o. See also P. Parsy, S. Eloi (1907), and Potthast, Bibliotheca hist. med. aevi (Berlin, 1896).