Gerland of Agrigento
Encyclopedia
Saint Gerland of Agrigento , also known as Gerland of Besançon (d. 25 February 1100) was a bishop of Agrigento in Sicily
.
, he was a relative of the Norman
Roger I of Sicily
. After the expulsion of the Saracen
s from Sicily, in 1088 (or 1093) Roger summoned Gerland as the first post-Saracen bishop of Agrigento, to re-establish the church throughout the island.
He was canonised in 1159. His relics are in a silver urn in Agrigento Cathedral
, which has been dedicated to him since its rebuilding by bishop Bertaldo di Labro in 1305.
His feast day is 25 February.
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
.
History
Believed to have been a native of BesançonBesançon
Besançon , is the capital and principal city of the Franche-Comté region in eastern France. It had a population of about 237,000 inhabitants in the metropolitan area in 2008...
, he was a relative of the Norman
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
Roger I of Sicily
Roger I of Sicily
Roger I , called Bosso and the Great Count, was the Norman Count of Sicily from 1071 to 1101. He was the last great leader of the Norman conquest of southern Italy.-Conquest of Calabria and Sicily:...
. After the expulsion of the Saracen
Saracen
Saracen was a term used by the ancient Romans to refer to a people who lived in desert areas in and around the Roman province of Arabia, and who were distinguished from Arabs. In Europe during the Middle Ages the term was expanded to include Arabs, and then all who professed the religion of Islam...
s from Sicily, in 1088 (or 1093) Roger summoned Gerland as the first post-Saracen bishop of Agrigento, to re-establish the church throughout the island.
He was canonised in 1159. His relics are in a silver urn in Agrigento Cathedral
Agrigento Cathedral
Agrigento Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Agrigento, Sicily, dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Gerland. Founded in the 11th century, it was consecrated in 1099.-External links:* -Sources:...
, which has been dedicated to him since its rebuilding by bishop Bertaldo di Labro in 1305.
His feast day is 25 February.