Eginus of Verona

EGINUS OF VERONA. - He probably descended from a noble family related to the dukes Alabolfinger; he was educated in the monastery of Reichenau, where he received an excellent cultural formation.

He was in the service of Charlemagne, who sent him as bishop to Verona in 772, so that he might help strengthen Carolingian dominion in upper Italy. E. obtained not only political successes but also promoted the interests and good government of the diocese. After many years of governance he returned to Reichenau, to the abbot Waldo, his friend, and here, around 769, he founded Niederzell, a church dedicated to Sts. Peter and Paul. He had left at Verona, as vicar of the diocese, Ratold, perhaps his nephew, formerly chief chaplain of the court of Pepin. He died at Reichenau on 27 February 802, as the chronicle of Hermann Contractus attests.

Of literary interest, E. left a precious collection of homilies of the Fathers of the Church, especially Augustine to Leo, and many other lesser ones. The collection belongs to the group of ancient sermonaries of the Roman type, such as that of Alan of Farfa and of St. Peter's in the Vatican, later supplanted by that of Paul the Deacon.