Saint Bertharius
Saint Bertharius (died October 22, c. 884 AD at Monte Cassino, Campania, Italy) was a Benedictine abbot of Monte Cassino who was killed during a Saracen raid on the monastery and is venerated as a martyr. He was the author of several liturgical works and is one of the most significant abbots in the long history of Monte Cassino. His feast day is October 22.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Bertharius
| Saint Bertharius | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | October 22 |
| Profession | Benedictine monk; abbot; liturgical author; martyr |
| Rel. Affiliation | Order of Saint Benedict (Monte Cassino) |
| Patronage | Monte Cassino |
| Attributes | Benedictine habit; abbot's crozier; palm branch (martyr) |
| Birthplace | Francia (exact location unknown) |
| Death Place | Monte Cassino, Frosinone Province, Lazio, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom; killed in Saracen raid on Monte Cassino |
| Primary Shrine | Abbey of Monte Cassino, Cassino, Frosinone, Italy |
| Liturgical Class | Not included (universal calendar); observed by Benedictines |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Bertharius entered Monte Cassino and served as abbot during a time of extraordinary danger for the monastery. The ninth century saw Monte Cassino—the mother house of Western monasticism, founded by Saint Benedict himself—threatened repeatedly by Saracen raids from their bases in southern Italy and Sicily.
As abbot, Bertharius also distinguished himself intellectually. He wrote several significant works including a collection of hymns and two books on grammatical and rhetorical matters. He made Monte Cassino a center of learning during his abbacy.
In 883 or 884 AD, Saracen forces attacked and burned Monte Cassino. Bertharius was killed in the attack—making him the only abbot of Monte Cassino who died as a martyr. He is venerated as a saint-martyr by the Benedictines, with a feast day on October 22.
After the destruction of 883–884, Monte Cassino was abandoned; the community relocated to Teano and later Capua for about eighty years before returning to the mountain and rebuilding the great abbey.
Significant events
- Served as abbot of Monte Cassino in the ninth century.
- Wrote hymns and scholarly-liturgical works during his abbacy.
- Killed October 22, c. 884 AD during a Saracen raid that burned and destroyed Monte Cassino.
- Venerated as the only abbot-martyr of Monte Cassino.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Francia (exact location unknown)
Death location: Monte Cassino, Frosinone Province, Lazio, Italy
Notable location: Abbey of Monte Cassino where he served as abbot and was martyred (Monte Cassino, Frosinone Province, Lazio, Italy)
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Feast day
October 22
Veneration
Saint Bertharius is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church and the Order of Saint Benedict with a feast day on October 22, particularly at Monte Cassino and in the Benedictine tradition.
Prayers
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