Anselm, Duke of Friuli

Anselm of Nonantola (also St. Anselm, † March 3 803) was 749-751 dux ( duke ) of Friuli and 752-803 abbot of the abbey Nonantola.

Life

Anselm came from the Lombard upper class. As Aistulf in the year 749 King of the Lombards was, he appointed Anselm to succeed him as dux. Anselm's sister Gisaltruda was with the Lombard king Aistulf married, from whom he received land as a gift on which he had built 750 the monastery Fanano.

In the year 751 he took off his worldly honors and joined the Benedictine Order in Rome at. He was then appointed as the first abbot of the abbey founded by him and Aistulf Nonantola of Pope Stephen II 752. The relics of St. Pope Sylvester I was transferred to Anselm Nonantola in the year 756 of Rome. Anselm founded several hospices. King Desiderius deposed him from office and banished him in the year 758 to Montecassino. After the conquest of Langobardenreiches by Charlemagne, he could take up his post as abbot 774 Nonantola again. The Monastery of Nonantola developed well and eventually housed 1140 monks. On March 3, 803 Anselm died in his monastery.

Anselm is venerated in the Catholic Church as a saint and patron of the city Nonantola. His feast day is March 3.