Saint Engelbert of Cologne

Engelbert was born around 1185, a son of the Count of Berg, and received church offices while still young, as was common among nobles of his time. Elected archbishop of Cologne in 1216, he became a serious and energetic pastor, protecting monasteries, supporting the new Franciscan and Dominican friars, and serving as regent of the Empire for the young King Henry. On November 7, 1225, near Gevelsberg, he was ambushed and killed by men led by his own relative, Count Frederick of Isenberg, whom he had opposed for seizing church property.

He was venerated as a martyr soon after his death. His relics rest in a richly decorated silver shrine in Cologne Cathedral.