Adam of Ebrach facts for kids
Adam of Ebrach was an important monk who lived a long time ago, from the late 1000s until 1167. He was a Cistercian monk, which is a special kind of Christian monk. He became the very first leader, called an abbot, of two important monasteries in Germany: Ebrach Abbey and later Langheim Abbey.
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Adam's Journey and Leadership
Adam came from a city called Cologne. We first hear about him when he joined a Cistercian monastery named Morimond Abbey. In 1124, he might have been part of a group of monks who left Morimond. They wanted to start a new monastery in the Holy Land. After their leader, Abbot Arnold, passed away, a very famous monk named Bernard of Clairvaux asked Adam to come back to Morimond. Bernard trusted Adam's leadership so much that he believed the other monks would follow him. This shows Adam was a great leader!
In 1127, Adam led twelve monks to a region called Franconia. They went there to start a new monastery called Ebrach. Local nobles, Berno and Richwin von Eberau, had founded this monastery. Berno was an important helper for the local bishop. The first church at Ebrach was officially opened in 1134 by Bishop Emicho.
Founding Many Monasteries
Adam was a very successful abbot at Ebrach. Under his leadership, six new monasteries were started! These "daughter monasteries" were founded in different areas like Franconia, Styria, and Lower Bavaria.
- In 1129, Rein Abbey was founded. It's the oldest Cistercian monastery that is still active today!
- In 1132, Heilsbronn and Langheim were founded.
- In 1145, a monastery was started in Nepomuk.
- In 1146, Aldersbach Abbey was founded near Passau.
- In 1156, the monastery of Bildhausen was started near Münnerstadt.
As an abbot, Adam visited these new monasteries every year. He also traveled to the main meeting of the Cistercian order, called the General Chapter, at Cîteaux Abbey.
Langheim Abbey
Three brothers from Bamberg gave their land at Langheim to Bishop Otto I of Bamberg. In 1132, Bishop Otto offered this land to Adam. The condition was that Adam would use it to build a new monastery. The first stone for Langheim Abbey was laid on August 1, 1132. Like Ebrach, this new abbey was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Saint John the Evangelist, and Saint Nicholas. Adam became the first abbot of Langheim. He was very good at getting support from both the bishops and the local nobles.
Important Connections
Adam was a close friend of Bernard of Clairvaux, who was a very influential saint. Adam also kept in touch with Hildegard of Bingen, a famous writer and mystic, and the theologian Gerhoh von Reichersberg.
Adam played a big part in getting people ready for the Second Crusade. He was well-liked at the court of King Conrad III. The king's wife, Gertrude, and their young son were even buried at Ebrach Abbey. Adam was also respected by the pope and by Emperor Frederick I. The Emperor even called Adam "the man of my trust, in ecclesiastic and worldly things." He sent Adam as part of his first group to meet Pope Eugenius III. However, Adam stopped supporting Emperor Frederick when the Emperor backed a different pope, Antipope Victor IV.
Adam's body rests in the special burial place inside the abbey church in Ebrach.
See also
- Catholic Church in Germany
Sources
- Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie – online version at Wikisource
