Emilian of Cogolla

Saint Aemilianus of Cogolla, Spanish San Millán de la Cogolla, (c. 473 in Vergegio (now Berceo ); † November 12 574 in Northern Spain ) was a hermit and disciple of the hermit Felices de Bilibio.

Life

Aemilianus was the son of a shepherd, and practiced this profession even up to the age of forty from. The Hermit Felices de Bilibio took him on as a student and spent three years with him near Haro. Then Aemilianus moved to the Montes Distercios and spent the next 40 years in seclusion.

Because of his virtue, he was appointed by Bishop of Tarazona Didimo a priest of his birthplace Berceo. He held that post for three years but was then accused by other ministers, to waste the ecclesiastical goods, since it is too generous to the poor. He then retreated to the caves of Aidillo, where he was followed by other clergy. There he died at the age of 101 years. His coffin was a center of attraction for pilgrims. Counts and kings asked for his assistance there for their battles against the Moors. In 1053 his remains from the San Millán de Suso monastery was transferred to the neighboring newly built monastery San Millán de Yuso.

He is depicted as a shepherd or as abbot on horseback with sword in battle against the Moors. His Catholic feast day is November 12.