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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Yesterday (2. December) was the day of remembrance of: Oderisius I, abt. of Monte Cassino (blessed; d. 1105). O., a scion of the counts of the Marsi, was educated at Monte Cassino under abbot Richerius. In 1059 pope Nicholas II ordained him cardinal deacon; for close to thirty years O. served the papacy in Rome. In 1087 he was back at Monte Cassino as prior and in September of that year he was elected abbot to replace Desiderius II (now pope Victor III). Famous for his correspondence with the emperor Alexius I Comnenus in support of the First Crusade, O. continued Desiderius' work in bringing the abbey to a state of proper splendor and usefulness. He was responsible for a major expansion of the abbey's library and promoted the work of its scriptorium, many of whose products are described in Francis Newton's monumental study, _The Scriptorium and Library at Monte Cassino, 1058-1105_ (Cambridge U.P, 1999). Well known Cassinensians from the period of O.'s tenure include the hagiographer and chronicler Leo Marsicanus and O.'s young kinsman the future St. Berard, bishop of the Marsi. Best, John Dillon ********************************************************************** To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask] To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask] To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask] In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: [log in to unmask] For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html