Himerius of Cremona
Encyclopedia
Himerius of Cremona (d. June 17, ca. 560), also known as Himerius of Amelia or Irnerius, was an Italian
bishop. He is venerated as a saint
by the Roman Catholic Church
and Christian communities of Western Rite Orthodoxy
.
A native of Calabria
, Himerius was a monk
at Amelia
before being appointed bishop there. He is described as having been an extremely austere, ascetic personality, both in regard to himself and others.
Himerius' name does not appear in the ancient martyrologies. However, his name appears in the Roman Martyrology.
An abbot named Ambrose (Ambrogio), who lived around the twelfth century, wrote a Vita of Himerius, but only its prologue
remains. A later bishop of Amelia, Antonio Maria Graziano (1592–1611), also wrote a biography of the saint.
Around 965, Himerius' relics were moved from Amelia to Cremona
by Liutprand
(Liutprando, Luizo), bishop of Cremona from 962 to 972. They were interred in a church that was later destroyed. Rediscovered in 1129, they were placed in a sepulcher. A monk named John (Giovanni) wrote, in the 12th century, a collection of miracles performed by the saint after this rediscovery of the relics. This was composed during the episcopate of the Cremonese bishop Offredo (1168–1185).
In 1196, Sicardo
, another bishop of Cremona, placed the relics of Himerius in an archway of stone along with those of a martyr named Archelaus (Archelao) and consecrated an altar in their honor.
The monastery of Sant'Imerio was built in Cremona in 1606 to house members of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites
.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
bishop. He is venerated as a saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
by the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
and Christian communities of Western Rite Orthodoxy
Western Rite Orthodoxy
Western Rite Orthodoxy or Western Orthodoxy or Orthodox Western Rite are terms used to describe congregations and groups which are in communion with Eastern Orthodox Churches or Oriental Orthodox Churches using traditional Western liturgies rather than adopting Eastern liturgies such as the Divine...
.
A native of Calabria
Calabria
Calabria , in antiquity known as Bruttium, is a region in southern Italy, south of Naples, located at the "toe" of the Italian Peninsula. The capital city of Calabria is Catanzaro....
, Himerius was a monk
Monk
A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose...
at Amelia
Amelia (Italy)
Amelia is a town and comune of the province of Terni, in the Umbria region of central Italy. It grew up around an ancient hill fort, known to the Romans as '.-Geography:...
before being appointed bishop there. He is described as having been an extremely austere, ascetic personality, both in regard to himself and others.
Veneration
An abbot named Ambrose (Ambrogio), who lived around the twelfth century, wrote a Vita of Himerius, but only its prologue
Prologue
A prologue is an opening to a story that establishes the setting and gives background details, often some earlier story that ties into the main one, and other miscellaneous information. The Greek prologos included the modern meaning of prologue, but was of wider significance...
remains. A later bishop of Amelia, Antonio Maria Graziano (1592–1611), also wrote a biography of the saint.
Around 965, Himerius' relics were moved from Amelia to Cremona
Cremona
Cremona is a city and comune in northern Italy, situated in Lombardy, on the left bank of the Po River in the middle of the Pianura Padana . It is the capital of the province of Cremona and the seat of the local City and Province governments...
by Liutprand
Liutprand of Cremona
Liutprand, also Liudprand, Liuprand, Lioutio, Liucius, Liuzo, and Lioutsios was a Lombard historian and author, and Bishop of Cremona....
(Liutprando, Luizo), bishop of Cremona from 962 to 972. They were interred in a church that was later destroyed. Rediscovered in 1129, they were placed in a sepulcher. A monk named John (Giovanni) wrote, in the 12th century, a collection of miracles performed by the saint after this rediscovery of the relics. This was composed during the episcopate of the Cremonese bishop Offredo (1168–1185).
In 1196, Sicardo
Sicardo
Sicardus of Cremona was an Italian prelate, historian and writer.Sicardo was born into a Cremonese family, probably the Casalaschi. He studied law in Bologna and Mainz, then returned to Cremona where he became a subdeacon in 1183 and bishop of Cremona in 1185...
, another bishop of Cremona, placed the relics of Himerius in an archway of stone along with those of a martyr named Archelaus (Archelao) and consecrated an altar in their honor.
The monastery of Sant'Imerio was built in Cremona in 1606 to house members of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites
Discalced Carmelites
The Discalced Carmelites, or Barefoot Carmelites, is a Catholic mendicant order with roots in the eremitic tradition of the Desert Fathers and Mothers...
.