Boso of Merseburg
Encyclopedia
Boso of Merseburg was the first Bishop of Merseburg in Saxony-Anhalt
, and "Apostle of the Wends
."
Boso, a native of Bavaria
, was a Benedictine monk of Saint Emmeram's
in Regensburg
, from where he was summoned to the court of Otto I
, who, considering the conversion of the lately subjugated Wends indispensable to the security of the German Empire, sent Boso to convert them to Christianity
. In the beginning Boso's mission appeared useless, because of the hatred of the Wends for the Germans who had deprived them of their liberty. Boso however studied their language in order to preach to them in their own tongue, and gradually gained their trust and respect.
In 967 or 968, Boso was able to provide for the creation of three new bishoprics based at Merseburg, Meissen and Zeitz. He chose Merseburg as his own bishopric; Hugo, another Benedictine monk, became Bishop of Zeitz, and Burchard, of Meissen. All three were consecrated on Christmas Day 968, by their metropolitan, Adalbert of Magdeburg
. Boso continued his missionary labours, but died on a visit to his native Bavaria. He was succeeded by Gisilher
.
Saxony-Anhalt
Saxony-Anhalt is a landlocked state of Germany. Its capital is Magdeburg and it is surrounded by the German states of Lower Saxony, Brandenburg, Saxony, and Thuringia.Saxony-Anhalt covers an area of...
, and "Apostle of the Wends
Wends
Wends is a historic name for West Slavs living near Germanic settlement areas. It does not refer to a homogeneous people, but to various peoples, tribes or groups depending on where and when it is used...
."
Boso, a native of Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
, was a Benedictine monk of Saint Emmeram's
St. Emmeram's Abbey
St. Emmeram's Abbey , now known as Schloss Thurn und Taxis, Schloss St. Emmeram, and St...
in Regensburg
Regensburg
Regensburg is a city in Bavaria, Germany, located at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers, at the northernmost bend in the Danube. To the east lies the Bavarian Forest. Regensburg is the capital of the Bavarian administrative region Upper Palatinate...
, from where he was summoned to the court of Otto I
Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor
Otto I the Great , son of Henry I the Fowler and Matilda of Ringelheim, was Duke of Saxony, King of Germany, King of Italy, and "the first of the Germans to be called the emperor of Italy" according to Arnulf of Milan...
, who, considering the conversion of the lately subjugated Wends indispensable to the security of the German Empire, sent Boso to convert them to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. In the beginning Boso's mission appeared useless, because of the hatred of the Wends for the Germans who had deprived them of their liberty. Boso however studied their language in order to preach to them in their own tongue, and gradually gained their trust and respect.
In 967 or 968, Boso was able to provide for the creation of three new bishoprics based at Merseburg, Meissen and Zeitz. He chose Merseburg as his own bishopric; Hugo, another Benedictine monk, became Bishop of Zeitz, and Burchard, of Meissen. All three were consecrated on Christmas Day 968, by their metropolitan, Adalbert of Magdeburg
Adalbert of Magdeburg
Saint Adalbert of Magdeburg , sometimes known as the Apostle of the Slavs, was the first Archbishop of Magdeburg and a successful missionary to the Slavic peoples to the east of Germany...
. Boso continued his missionary labours, but died on a visit to his native Bavaria. He was succeeded by Gisilher
Gisilher, Archbishop of Magdeburg
Gisilher, Gisiler, Giseler, or Giselmar was the second Archbishop of Magdeburg, succeeding Saint Adalbert, from 1004 until his death. In 981, the Diocese of Merseburg was united to that of Magdeburg. It was only separated on Gisilher's death.From 971 to 981, Gisilher was the Bishop of the new see...
.