Saint Bavo of Ghent, also known as Saint Bavo, was a 7th-century nobleman who became a monk and later a hermit. He is the patron saint of Ghent, a city in Belgium. Bavo is celebrated for his conversion from a life of luxury to one of piety and service, dedicating himself to God and helping the poor. His feast day is observed on October 1st, and he is often depicted in art with symbols of his former life, such as a horse or a sword. The Saint Bavo Cathedral in Ghent is named in his honor and houses many important religious artifacts.