MECKLENBURG-STRELITZ: A grand-duchy of the German empire, separate from Mecklenburg-Schwerin since 1701; area 1,131 square miles; population (1905) 100,451, of whom 100,314 were Lutherans, 2,499 Roman Catholics, 128 Greek Catholics, 212 unclassed Christians, and 298 Israelites.

The church organization is similar to that of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (q.v.). In his metropolitan capacity the sovereign exercises his governing power through the consistory at Neu-Strelitz, which also attends to the ecclesiastical administration of the Ratzeburg district. The jus circa sacra is exercised through the state govemmel t. The consistory at Neu-Strelitz acts as an ecclesiastical court of first instance; appeals lie to the Superior Ecclesiastical Court at Rostock. Mecklenburg-

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Strelitz has only one superintendent, under whom are six prapoaiti and the provost at Ratzeburg. There are 153 churches. With reference to other ecclesiastical conditions the statements as to Mecklenburg- Schwerin generally apply here as well.

Heinrich Behm.

Bibliography: Consult the literature under MECKLENBURG-SCHWERIN.

MEDARDUS, SAINT: Missionary bishop in northern France; b. at Salentiacum (Salency) in Picardy, not far from the present St. Quentin, c. 457; d. c. 545. He was educated in the school of his native city where he distinguished himself by his diligence, piety, and charity. He received holy orders at an early age, and about 530 succeeded the bishop of Veromandum (Vermand), but soon removed the see to Noviomagua (Noyon) which, as a fortified place, offered better protection against the barbarians. After the death of Bishop Eleu therius,about 532, he was elected also bishop of Tourney, and for the rest of his life administered both dioceses, being very active and successful in spreading Christianity. By his pure and pious conduct and the enduring steadfastness with which he bore all sufferings and struggles for the advancement of the Christian faith, he occupied a well deserved place among the confessors. He is com memorated by the Roman Catholic Church on June 8, and is considered the patron of horticulture and agriculture, more specifically of haymaking. A church and a monastery were built over his grave at Soissons. Besides this city, the chief seat of devotion to Medardus, Dijon, Jodoigne (Geldon acum)near Louvain, Cologne, Treves, Paris, and Prague boasted the possession of relics of the saint.

(O. Zöckler†.)

Bibliography: The two early biographies of Medardue were by Fortunatus Venantiueand Bishop iisdbod, which with other lives, documents and commentary are collected in ABB, June, ii. 72-105. Early material is found also in MPL, la%i. 1117-1118, laxaviii. 533-540, caxsii. 829-639, and s Carmen by Fortunatus Vensntiue is in MGH, Aud. ant., iv. 1 (1881), 44-48. Consult: J. Corblet,Notice historeque#ar la tulle do S. M~idard, Amiene, 1868; DCB, iii. 887-888.