Their story
Adapted in modern English from Baring-Gould (1914) · original text below · little is known
Adelelm was a nobleman of Lyons who served as a soldier before becoming a monk at Chaise-Dieu. Ordained a priest, he refused to exercise his priesthood after learning that his bishop had bought his office, until a new bishop was appointed.
Setting out on a stormy night to see the new bishop, he gave his companion a lit candle; the story says its flame burned steadily in the gale. From this, says Baring-Gould, sailors' masthead lights came to be called St. Elmo's fire. He was later invited to Spain and died as abbot at Burgos.
Early life
The book says little or nothing about early life. This is how the account begins.
Thin entry · the 1914 book gives only 189 words. We have not filled the gap with invented detail.
S. Adelelm was a noble of Lyons in France, and served in the army, till God called him to a higher walk, then he renounced the world, and became a monk in the Abbey of Chaise-Dieu, after a visit to Rome. He was ordained priest by Ranco, Bishop of the Auvergne, but when he heard that the bishop had been suspended for having simonically obtained the see, he refused to execute the priestly office, till a successor was appointed. To see him, Adelelm started one stormy night.