Lambert

Biography

Later he was bishop of his hometown, except for a short intermission during which the hostility of Ebroinus, the palace's steward, forced him to retire to the abbey of Stavelot, in Belgium. There he lived for seven years as humble, obedient and fervent as a young novice. He returned to his diocese of Maastritch upon the death of Ebroinus, where he governed with kindness and charity. He had a tragic end, as he was murdered in Leija by thieves who were looking for the Church's property. He could have avoided his own death, but, like Christ in Gethsemane, he prevented his escort from shedding blood to defend him. A church was built on the site of his martyrdom, and Leija, which was nothing more than a village, became an important city due to the influx of pilgrims. Today, one hundred and forty Belgian churches bear his name.