Aemilian of Cogolla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aemilian |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Abbot | |
| Born | 12 November 472 La Rioja, Spain |
| Died | 11 June 573 Spain |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church Anglican Communion |
| Major shrine | Augustinian Recollets monastery of La Cogolla |
| Feast | 12 November |
| Attributes | monk on horseback |
| Patronage | Castile |
Saint Aemilian was a holy person from Spain. He lived a long time ago, from 472 to 573. He is honored by many people in Spain. He lived during the time of the Visigothic Kingdom.
Contents
Who Was Saint Aemilian?
We know about Saint Aemilian from a book called his Vita. It was written by Braulio, a bishop from Zaragoza. Braulio wrote it about 100 years after Aemilian died.
Early Life and Calling
Aemilian was born in a place called Vergaja. This place is now known as Berceo in La Rioja, Spain. When he was young, Aemilian worked as a shepherd.
Around the age of twenty, Aemilian had a special religious experience. This made him decide to dedicate his life to God. He went to live with an experienced hermit named Felix. Felix lived in Bilibio, and Aemilian stayed with him for several years.
Becoming a Priest and Hermit
After leaving his teacher, Aemilian lived as a hermit. A hermit is someone who lives alone, often in quiet places. He lived in the mountains or near an old Roman road. This road later became part of the Camino de Santiago, a famous pilgrimage route.
Didymus, the Bishop of Tarazona, made Aemilian a priest. He was appointed the parish priest of Vergaja. However, other priests did not like Aemilian. This was because he gave away a lot of money to the poor. He was also known for his holiness and for performing miracles.
Because of this, Aemilian went back to live in the wilderness. A small group of followers gathered around him. He lived to be a very old age. When he died, his body was first buried where he lived. Later, it was moved to a monastery built in his memory.
Why Is Saint Aemilian Honored?
Braulio, the bishop who wrote about Aemilian, also wrote about miracles. These miracles happened after Aemilian's death. A monastery was built to honor him. It was called San Millán de la Cogolla. This monastery became very famous.
The Monasteries of San Millán
The San Millán de Suso monastery is known for its special Mozarabic architecture. This style mixes Christian and Islamic art. As more people visited the monastery, it grew. In the 11th century, a new part was built called San Millán de Yuso.
These monasteries were very important. They were a stop on the traditional pilgrimage route. The monks there were Benedictine. They are known for one of the oldest books written in the Spanish language. It is called Vida de San Millán de la Cogolla. This book is a biography written by Gonzalo de Berceo.
A famous saint named Dominic of Silos also started his religious life at San Millán monastery. He was a miracle worker.
Patron Saint and Symbols
Saint Aemilian is a patron saint of La Rioja. The longer name of the monastery, San Millán de la Cogolla, refers to a monastic cowl. A cowl is a hooded robe worn by monks.
Sometimes, pictures of Aemilian show him on horseback. He might have a banner and a sword. This is because his image can be mixed with that of Saint James the Moor-slayer.
See also
In Spanish: Millán (santo) para niños
- San Millán de la Cogolla, La Rioja
- Monasterio de San Millán de Yuso
- Monasterio de San Millán de Suso7
