Reinbern

Reinbern († 1013 to 1015 in Kiev ) was in 1000 the first bishop in Pomerania.

Life

The only tradition to Reinbern is included in the contemporary chronicle of Thietmar of Merseburg ( 975-1018 ).

Reinbern came from the Hassegau, that was a Saxon. He was educated in the sciences, possibly in the Magdeburg Cathedral School.

In the year 1000 Reinbern is called as bishop of Kolberg in Pomerania and Emperor Otto III. the newly founded Archdiocese of Gniezno assumed. Apparently pure Berns was created diocese simultaneously new; which part of Pomerania should include the diocese, is unknown. The foundation of the diocese was done under the so- called tags of Gniezno, with the Emperor Otto III. the Polish Duke Boleslaw I. conceded a larger, unclear if the individual independence. From the perspective of Boleslaw I. the appointment of the archbishopric of Gniezno assistant bishop served to secure its influence in Pomerania.

Reinbern was thus the first bishop of Pomerania. But since Pomerania was still pagan, Reinbern had the task of mission bishop. Thietmar reported that it was Reinbern managed to bring " under a very ignorant people" the Christian faith " to germinate " to. To this end, destroyed Reinbern - probably under the protection of Boleslav - pagan shrines. Furthermore, the cleaning of the Baltic Sea, he is credited by demons by thrown four anointed with the Holy Oil stones and holy water is said to have blown up into.

When I succeeded Pomerania, the supremacy of the Polish Duke Boleslaw I. shake off again, even Reinbern Kolberg had to leave. The date is unknown, but to put probably 1007-1013. In order for the Diocese of Kolberg ended again.

Reinbern was used by Duke Boleslaw I. then in 1013 to a diplomatic mission. As Boleslaw wanted his unnamed daughter of the Grand Duke Sviatopolk, a son of Grand Prince Vladimir I of Kiev, married, accompanied Reinbern the bride to Kiev. Although the marriage took place, but then there were complications: Sviatopolk came into conflict with his father Vladimir. Vladimir Thereupon the Sviatopolk whose new wife and Reinbern arrest. Reinbern died in this captivity. The exact year of his death is unknown; he probably died 1013-1015.

Appreciation

With the mission of the pagan Pomeranian Reinbern had no or at least no lasting success. Pomerania remained predominantly pagan until Otto of Bamberg by two missionary journeys introduced 1124 and 1128 Christianity in Pomerania. Reinbern was forgotten in Pomerania.

From modern Catholic perspective saw Helmut Holzapfel at Reinbern a " holy life " and a death, " which can be regarded in a sense as safe martyrdom ".

The 1972 newly erected Diocese of Koszalin - Kolobrzeg Polish Catholic would like to continue the tradition of pure Berns diocese.

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