Coloman of Stockerau

St. Koloman ( Ireland *, † July 17, 1012 at Stockerau ) to have been an Irish king's son who was captured on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in Stockerau and executed.

Life

Not much is known of the life of the saint. The legend has it that he was an Irish prince or itinerant preacher who went on a pilgrimage to the holy places in Jerusalem. At that time there were several confrontations between King Henry II and Duke Bolesław I the Brave of Poland. Koloman was held and detained at Stockerau in Lower Austria because of his strange appearance for a Czech spy. After a martyrdom he was hanged between two assassins on a dry elderberry shrub. This scene is also on the Babenbergerstammbaum, a six by four meters wide panel, shown, which was created in the years 1489-1492 by Hans Part. In the garden of the monastery of St. Koloman in Stockerau can be considered a full-blown into a tree elderberry shrub that has often sprung forth and said to be the elder said. According to legend, less well-known Koloman was not hanged, but slain.

As a man condemned to death, he was not buried. His body showed, however, after some time, no decay characteristics and according to legend was soon presented a numerous miracles. Therefore, Koloman was finally in the area of ​​the present monastery located then relatively newly built church in Stockerau first buried himself, whereupon numerous miracles to be done at his grave. This meant that Koloman was transferred two years after his death in the former residence of the Babenberg to Melk and buried there on 13 October 1014, this day is still his feast day. In addition, the convent of Melk Abbey and the sisters celebrate St. Koloman monastery also the much later incurred feast day on July 17.

Early reports on the life of St. Koloman found in Thietmar of Merseburg in his chronicle to the year 1017 and in the Passio sancti Cholomanni the Melk Erchenfried Abbot († 1163 ).

Worship

Due to the veneration of the people Margrave Henry I became aware of Koloman. A Commission reviewed the wonder and ordered that the grave. Koloman was found incorrupt. Henry had Coloman corpse of Stockerau convert to Melk, where he was buried on October 13, 1014 by the bishop of Eichstätt Megingaud in the St. Peter's Church outside the milker castle a second time. This is in the Passio S. Cholomanni, which dates from the mid-12th century, reported. It may also be assumed that the existence of such an important tomb has been the trigger for the foundation of the monastery.

In May 1244, Pope Innocent IV wrote to the Bishop of Passau, that Coloman Memorial Day, the so-called Kolomanitag, because of the Duke Frederick II reported miracle of Coloman grave as a public holiday in Austria and the neighboring provinces should be committed. This was part of Frederick's efforts to maintain its own country diocese. Also, a translation of the relics Coloman to be founded bishopric was planned. These plans were frustrated by the death of Frederick.

In the meantime, the bones had been spent on printing of the Hungarian king Hungary. Koloman but was soon brought back as major natural disasters should have occurred through the wrongful implementation. Here is the head excluding the mandible, have remained in Székesfehérvár ( Szekesfehervar ). The mandible was taken in 1752 in the so-called " Kolomanimonstranz ". It will be held annually on the " Kolomanitag ". Rudolf IV had in 1362 built a magnificent tomb for Koloman. He it was who the " Kolomanistein " take 1361 brass and let immured in the so-called Bischofstor of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. Since the axes of Virgilkapelle are aligned with the sun's position on the feast of Koloman, it is believed that one of the remains was scheduled in St. Stephen's Cathedral. The Kolomanistein is made ​​of brass, and bears the inscription: Hic est lapis, super quem effusus est sanguis ex serra tio tibiarum P. Colom Anni Martyris, quem huc collocavit illustris Dominus Rudolphus IV Dux Austriae. Behind the stone was found a lead box with a strip of parchment. Thus, to have been immured behind the stone several relics. The stone itself is a touch and secondary relic that should have shown at the time of the incorporation visible traces of blood Coloman.

The bones of the saint were reburied at least yet another time, because today they are located in the left front side altar of the collegiate church of Melk.

Many churches in Austria, Bavaria and Swabia are dedicated to St. Koloman. So also the chapel of Aggstein was dedicated to St. Koloman and George. In rennet in the forest was already before 1200 a Colomann Chapel, also the parish church dedicated to him. Already in the 15th century in Schwangau in Bavaria a chapel in the place where the holy Koloman should have rested. It was enlarged in the 17th century Church of St. Coloman. In Austria alone, are known more than 15 Kolomangnadenstätten, such as the Kolomanistein at Eisgarn. Also the Kolomanibrunnen in the milker old town is dedicated to him.

Remembrance

The memorial and day of St. Koloman is 13 October. It is celebrated since 1244. On this day since 1451 takes place the " Kolomanikirtag " in Melk.

Patron

In the period 1244-1663 Koloman was the patron saint of " Austria above and below the Enns ". Then he was replaced as the patron saint of the Holy Leopold. But he is still the patron of the cities Stockerau and Melk and of Melk Abbey.

Koloman is also the patron saint of death by hanging the convicted person, traveler and cattle. He shall also stand against diseases, head and foot problems, plague, severe weather, fire danger, rat and mice infestations.

His attributes are the Pilgrim ( hat, coat, wand, bottle), and often a noose in his hand.