Berno of Reichenau

Berno (* 978, † June 7, 1048 in Reichenau ) was 1008-1048 abbot of the monastery of Reichenau.

Origin and name

His date of birth is unknown, as his social background. He probably came from a family from Lorraine, and had been given as a wafer to the monastery of Prüm. Before his Abbiat he was a monk in the monastery of Fleury, where he received his education by Abbo of Fleury.

The addition of the final -o in his name is probably from the later latinized his name, for he himself has only ever called Bern and was also written by contemporaries primarily so.

Work

Bern was in 1008 appointed by King Henry II to the abbot of the monastery of Reichenau and consecrated by Bishop Lambert of Konstanz. He succeeded the Reformabt Realty, which was probably rejected by the monks because of its overly strict interpretation of the Benedictine rule. The leadership of the monastery under Bern was more liberal, however the reform of the monastery was continued. The monastery reached under his leadership both economic and scientific heyday.

He is next to Hermann the lame, the teacher and promoter, he was, as one of the most versatile scholars of his time. In addition to numerous music theory, liturgical, theological and computistical writings, he also wrote several Uffizi and hymns and a hagiographic Vita of St. Ulrich of Augsburg.

Politically entertained Bern close ties to Henry II, Conrad II and Henry III. He took part in 1014 and 1027 Henry II and Conrad II to imperial coronation and accompanied Henry II 1021/22 on his third expedition to Rome. His special proximity and the close relationship of trust with the rulers can also be based on the numerous surviving letters Berns to Henry II and Henry III. and secure it in the fact that he devoted the latter his collected works.

Abbot Bern led the Western expansion of the Abbey Church of St. Mary and St. Mark's for the exhibition and veneration of the relics of St. Mark and was the dedication by the Bishop of Constance Theodoric attend nor even on 24 April 1048. During his tenure were also the imaginary for the Earls of Nellenburg as grave laying Lawrence chapel and a church dedicated to St. Adalbert, whose completion he did not live, built.

Berne died on 7 June 1048 found in the crossing of the West he had built transept of the cathedral Reichenauer his final resting place.