Castor of Karden was a 4th-century priest and hermit who lived in the regions of Aquitaine and Treis-Karden. A student of Maximinus of Trier, he was ordained by his teacher around 345 AD. Following his ordination, he moved to Karden on the Moselle to live an ascetic life. There, he founded a small religious community alongside several companions, including the pilgrim Saint Potentinus and his sons, Felicius and Simplicius.
Life and ministry
After being ordained, Castor established a monastic presence at Karden. He lived as a hermit, practicing asceticism with a group of followers. His community included individuals such as Potentinus, a pilgrim from Aquitaine, and his two sons. Castor remained in this location until his death at an advanced age.
Veneration and relics
Castor is recognized as a saint in the Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican traditions. By 791 AD, a reliquary had been created for him, which was eventually moved to the Paulinuskirchen in Karden. In 836, Archbishop Hetto of Trier transferred his remains to the site that became the Basilica of St. Castor in Koblenz.