Haymo of Halberstadt facts for kids

Haymo (also spelled Haimo) was a German Benedictine monk who lived a long time ago, in the 800s. He became a bishop in a place called Halberstadt and was also a famous author. He died on March 27, 853.

Haymo's Life Story

Haymo's exact birthday and where he was born are not known. When he was young, he joined the Benedictine order at a monastery called Fulda. There, he studied with another famous scholar named Rabanus Maurus.

Both Haymo and Rabanus Maurus traveled to the Monastery of St. Martin in Tours, France. They went there to learn from a great teacher named Alcuin.

After a short time in Tours, both friends returned to the Benedictine monastery at Fulda. They spent most of their lives there before becoming bishops. Haymo became a sort of manager or secretary for the monastery, keeping important records. It's also likely he taught theology there because he was very learned, but we don't have definite proof.

For a short time, Haymo lived at the Benedictine monastery in Hersfeld, possibly as its leader (abbot). Then, in late 840, he was chosen to be the Bishop of Halberstadt. When his old friend Rabanus Maurus heard about Haymo's new role, he wrote a long book called "De Universo." This book gave Haymo lots of advice on how to be a good bishop.

Haymo followed Rabanus's advice. He stayed away from the king's court (King Louis the German) and didn't get involved in government matters. He preached often and focused only on helping the people in his diocese (the area a bishop oversees). The only public meeting he went to was the Council of Mainz in 847. This meeting was held to protect the rights of the church. Haymo passed away on March 26, 853.

Haymo's Books and Writings

Haymo of Halberstadt wrote many books. However, some works were wrongly thought to be his, especially those by another writer named Haimo of Auxerre.

Most of Haymo's real works are commentaries on the Holy Writ (the Bible). These are like detailed explanations of the sacred text. Some of his printed works include:

• "In Psalmos explanatio" (explanations of the Psalms)
• "In Isaiam libri tres" (three books on Isaiah)
• "In XII Prophetas" (on the twelve prophets)
• "In Epistolas Pauli omnes" (on all of Paul's letters)
• "In Apocalypsim libri septem" (seven books on the Book of Revelation)

Haymo wasn't an original commentator. He mostly repeated or shortened explanations he found in earlier writings by important Church Fathers. As a very religious monk, he focused on the moral and spiritual meanings of the Bible.

He also wrote a summary of Eusebius's Ecclesiastical History, which is a history of the early Christian church. He wrote many sermons and a spiritual book called De amore coelestis patriae (which means "On the love of the heavenly homeland").

His writings are collected in a large series of books called Migne, Patrologia Latina.

It's important to know that some sermons once believed to be by Haymo of Halberstadt are now known to be by Haymo of Auxerre.