Saint Fructus

San Frutos, St. Fructus (* 7th century in Segovia; † 8th century in the area of Carrascal del Río ), was a Spanish hermit. He is the patron saint of Segovia. His feast day is October 25, which is celebrated in the city and region with great festivity ( Pilgrimage de San Frutos ).

Life and Legend

The life of Saint Fructus has survived only radically Aryan. Historical background is the Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula from 711; However, their effective shape was the story until the time of the Reconquista.

Thus came from Fructus and his younger siblings Ingratia and Valentinus a noble Christian family in the Visigothic Segovia. Fructus drew itself out in youth through special passion for God. He sold his possessions, gave away the proceeds to the poor, left the city and went into an uninhabited area where he built himself a hut. There he led a life of asceticism and prayer. Soon people came from far away to him and found comfort and advice.

When the Moors took Segovia, Fructus offered together with his siblings Christian refugees accommodation. Finally, the conqueror penetrated even to the hermitage. Fructus came to meet them with a stick and drew a line across a rock. Thereupon the rock and a deep chasm split separated the Christians from their pursuers. This Crevice, the Cuchillada de San Frutos, is shown to this day at the Ermita de San Frutos.

About the further life and death of the saints nothing is handed down. Some versions of the legend indicate the year of death 715. His relics are kept at the Cathedral of Segovia. Her worship, however, can be traced back only to the 11th century. 1076, the site was left to the Crevice of St. Fructus, where probably stood an old chapel, the Benedictines of silos that there a priory, the Ermita de San Frutos built.