Saint Ulphia
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Statue of Ulphia at Amiens Cathedral.
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| Born | 711 AD |
| Died | January 31, 750 AD What is now Fouencamps, France. |
| Venerated in | Orthodox Church Roman Catholic Church |
| Major shrine | Amiens Cathedral |
| Feast | January 31 |
| Attributes | Depicted as a young nun seated in prayer on a rock with a frog in the pool near her |
| Patronage | Amphibians, keepers of amphibians |
Ulphia (also Ulphe, Olfe, Wulfe, Wolfia, or Wulfia and other variants; d. 8th century AD) of Amiens is a Christian saint, venerated particularly at Amiens. She was said to be a young girl living on the banks of the Noye in the who became a hermit at what would become Saint-Acheul, near Amiens in the Kingdom of the Franks, under the spiritual direction of Saint Domitius (Domice). At the end of her life, she formed and directed a community of religious women at Amiens. Her feast day is January 31.
Legend states that Ulphe placed the frogs in the area around her hermitage (which was built in a swampy area) under interdict as a result of their loud croaking, which kept her awake at nights. Thus, in her iconography, she is depicted as a young nun seated in prayer on a rock with a frog in the pool near her.
A 19th century hagiographer noted that the frogs in the area around the oratory of Saint Ulphe were, indeed, very quiet. However, if these frogs were taken elsewhere, they became boisterous once again.[1]
A friendship between Ulphe and Domitius was said to have started around the year of 730, and lasted until the end of her life. Despite Ulphe being around half the age of Domitius, they would stroll together and recite the Divine Office in what was then the Cathedral of Amiens. According to legend, “They were of a like will and spirit, chaste and devout. [2]
Their friendship has been compared to two smaller rivers flowing side by side, before joining together and flowing out to sea. [3]
A statue of Ulphia stands in the portal of Amiens Cathedral[4] and a painting of Ulphia with Saint Domitius by the 19th century painter Jean de Franqueville, hangs inside the cathedral.
