Nilus the Younger

St. Nilus the Younger ( Νεῖλος ), or after his birthplace Nilus of Rossano (c. 910; † September 26, 1004 ), was distinguished Greek origin and lived as a monk mainly in southern Italy (including Rossano, Santa Maria del Patire ) and in around Rome.

Before turning to the monastic life, he had a family. In the landscape Merkourion, a core area of ​​Greek monasticism, he lived under the spiritual guidance of the Holy Fantinus the Younger. As a monk, he committed himself to the spread of the rule of St. Basil, in which still orient all Orthodox monasteries. He was for his ascetic life (at times as a hermit ), his virtue and his theological education famous. After 950 he founded near his home town, the monastery at San Demetrio Corone Sant'Adriano. Around 980 he departed from Muslim raids and went with a group of students to Montecassino. There, the monastery of San Michele in Valleluce he was asked to stay. After about 15 years, he moved first to Serperi at Gaeta, then in the vicinity of Rome. He is also with Otto III. met. His enduring masterpiece was the foundation of the Greek Abbey of Grottaferrata near Rome, together with the likewise derived from Rossano Bartholomew. Also known as a calligrapher, he has made a name. Memorial of St. Nilus is both according to the calendar of saints of the Catholic and the Orthodox Church September 26.