Equitius
Encyclopedia
Saint Equitius was an abbot
of the 6th century. He was born between 480 and 490 in the region of Valeria Suburbicaria (present-day L'Aquila
-Rieti
-Tivoli
). Gregory the Great refers to Equitius in his Dialogues (I,4 in PL, LXXVII, coll. 165-77), and states that Equitius was a follower of Saint Benedict of Nursia. Equitius worked to spread monasticism
in Italy
and the West but was never ordained as a priest. However, Gregory writes that Equitius’ reputation for sanctity was such that the saint was able to recruit many new monks in the region of Valeria, many of whom later acquired high office within the Church. The pope initiated an investigation into Equitius when complaints were made regarding the saint’s standing. The pope sent a priest named Julian to investigate Equitius, but the pope ended the investigation after receiving a vision concerning Equitius.
Equitius died at his monastery of San Lorenzo di Pizzoli. His monks were absorbed into the Benedictine Order.
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
of the 6th century. He was born between 480 and 490 in the region of Valeria Suburbicaria (present-day L'Aquila
L'Aquila
L'Aquila is a city and comune in central Italy, both the capital city of the Abruzzo region and of the Province of L'Aquila. , it has a population of 73,150 inhabitants, but has a daily presence in the territory of 100,000 people for study, tertiary activities, jobs and tourism...
-Rieti
Rieti
Rieti is a city and comune in Lazio, central Italy, with a population of c. 47,700. It is the capital of province of Rieti.The town centre rests on a small hilltop, commanding a wide plain at the southern edge of an ancient lake. The area is now the fertile basin of the Velino River...
-Tivoli
Tivoli, Italy
Tivoli , the classical Tibur, is an ancient Italian town in Lazio, about 30 km east-north-east of Rome, at the falls of the Aniene river where it issues from the Sabine hills...
). Gregory the Great refers to Equitius in his Dialogues (I,4 in PL, LXXVII, coll. 165-77), and states that Equitius was a follower of Saint Benedict of Nursia. Equitius worked to spread monasticism
Monasticism
Monasticism is a religious way of life characterized by the practice of renouncing worldly pursuits to fully devote one's self to spiritual work...
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and the West but was never ordained as a priest. However, Gregory writes that Equitius’ reputation for sanctity was such that the saint was able to recruit many new monks in the region of Valeria, many of whom later acquired high office within the Church. The pope initiated an investigation into Equitius when complaints were made regarding the saint’s standing. The pope sent a priest named Julian to investigate Equitius, but the pope ended the investigation after receiving a vision concerning Equitius.
Equitius died at his monastery of San Lorenzo di Pizzoli. His monks were absorbed into the Benedictine Order.