ERIBERTO, saint. - Archbishop of Cologne, born about 970 to Count Ugo of Wormazia, died 16 March 1021. He attended the cathedral school of Wormazia and that of the monastery of Gorze near Metz. While still young he became provost of the cathedral of Wormazia and, in 994, chancellor for Italy; from 998 to 1002 he was archchancellor for Germany and, as such, a friend, counsellor, and travelling companion of Emperor Ottone III. In 999 the Church of Cologne chose him as archbishop, and Pope Silvestro II confirmed him on 9 July 999 at Benevento. On 23 January 1002 E. was present at the death of the young Emperor Ottone III at Paternò and, despite grave difficulties, conveyed his body and the imperial insignia as far as Aquisgrana. After the accession of King Enrico II, E. relinquished the office of chancellor and devoted himself entirely to his diocese.
According to his biographer Lamberto di Deutz and the Annals of Quedlinburgo, E. was a bishop of profound piety and inexhaustible generosity toward the poor and oppressed of every kind, as well as toward monasteries, especially the Benedictine monastery he founded in 1002 and the church of Deutz, in which he was buried. E. was not formally canonized, but it seems that the Pope approved his cult. His feast is on 16 March.