The Golden Legend's life of St. Giles devotes its largest section to the story of St. Giles and the doe whom Christ sent to give him milk and companionship in his hermitage. One day the doe fled from hunters to take refuge with St. Giles, and one of the hunters accidentally shot the saint instead of the doe, as in the image at left.
In portraits, the doe is St. Giles's attribute. It should not be confused with St. Eustace's deer, which has antlers and a crucifix.
Giles's Latin name is Egidius.
Feast day: September 1
At left, a 15th century painting of the saint
Hagiography:
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