Othmar
Othmar was a medieval monk and priest, and the first abbot of the Abbey of St. Gall. He is remembered for establishing the Benedictine Rule at the abbey, adding a hospital and school, and for his resistance to those who sought to seize abbey property, which led to his imprisonment and death. His cult spread after his death, and he is one of the most popular saints in Switzerland.
- Feast Day
- November 16
- Century
- 8th century
- Country Or Region
- Switzerland
Key Facts
- ›Othmar was of Alemannic descent and received his education at the cathedral school in Chur.
- ›In 720, he was appointed superior over the cell of St. Gall and custodian of Gall's relics, becoming the first abbot of the united monastery.
- ›He introduced the Benedictine Rule to the Abbey of St. Gall in 747.
- ›Othmar also established an almshouse and the first leprosarium in what is now Switzerland.
- ›He died in 759 after being imprisoned by Counts Warin and Ruodhart.
- ›His body was transferred to the monastery of St. Gall in 769, and legends speak of a miraculous wine barrel.
Audomar
Little Barrel
About Othmar
Othmar of St. Gall
Othmar, also known as Audomar (c. 689 – c. 759), was a significant Medieval monk and priest, revered as the first abbot of the Abbey of St. Gall. Situated near the site where the city of St. Gallen in Switzerland later developed, this Benedictine monastery was shaped by Othmar's leadership.
Life and Historical Context
Of Alemannic descent, Othmar received his education at the cathedral school in Chur. After being ordained a priest, he initially presided over a church of St. Florinus in Rhaetia. His pivotal role began in 720 when Waltram of Thurgau appointed him superior over the cell of St. Gall and custodian of the saint's relics. Othmar then organized the monks living near the cell into a monastery, adopting the Rule of St. Columban and becoming its inaugural abbot. He expanded the monastery's facilities by adding a hospital and a school, which laid the groundwork for the renowned Stiftsbibliothek (Monastery library).
A significant reform occurred in 747 when Othmar introduced the Benedictine Rule, a move that aligned the monastery with a broader movement to reform Church institutions in Alamannia. This rule would guide the monastery until its secularization in 1805. Beyond the monastic community, Othmar extended his charitable efforts to the wider populace. He established an almshouse and founded the first leprosarium in what is now Switzerland, alongside similar institutions in France and Germany.
In 747, following Carloman's renunciation of his throne, Carloman visited Othmar at St. Gall and provided a letter of recommendation to his brother, Pepin. Othmar personally delivered this letter to Pepin and was well-received.
Persecution and Death
In 759, Othmar faced opposition from Counts Warin and Ruodhart, who sought to control some of St. Gall's property. Othmar's fearless resistance led to his capture during a journey to Constance. He was held prisoner first at the castle of Bodmann and later on the island of Werd in the Rhine. He died on Werd after an imprisonment of six months and was buried there.
Veneration and Legacy
Othmar's cult began to grow shortly after his death, establishing him as one of Switzerland's most popular saints, alongside Maurice and Gall. In 769, his body was transferred to the Abbey of St. Gall, an event marked by a legend of a miraculous wine barrel that remained inexhaustible, becoming one of his attributes. His cult received official recognition in 864 by Solomon I, bishop of Constance, and he was solemnly entombed in the new church of St. Othmar at St. Gall in 867. The feast of St. Othmar is celebrated on November 16. He is iconographically represented as a Benedictine abbot, often holding a small barrel.
The lasting influence of Othmar is evident in the dedication of St. Gallen Cathedral to both Gall and Othmar. A chapel was erected in his memory on Werd island in the 10th century. Churches and institutions in Austria, North Dakota, and a Swiss handball club bear his name, continuing to commemorate his life and work.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Othmar?
Othmar was a medieval monk and priest, and the first abbot of the Abbey of St. Gall. He is considered a significant figure in the monastic history of Switzerland.
What was Othmar's role at the Abbey of St. Gall?
Othmar was appointed superior of the cell of St. Gall in 720 and became the first abbot of the monastery that developed there. He introduced the Benedictine Rule and added a hospital and school.
Why is Othmar associated with a wine barrel?
Legends state that during the transfer of his body in 769, the wine barrel carried by the mourners did not empty, regardless of how much was drunk. This miraculous barrel became one of his iconic attributes.
How did Othmar die?
In 759, Counts Warin and Ruodhart attempted to seize property belonging to St. Gall. Othmar resisted their demands, was captured, and held prisoner on the island of Werd, where he died after six months of imprisonment.
When is Othmar's feast day?
Othmar's feast day is celebrated on November 16. His cult began to spread soon after his death and he is one of the most popular saints in Switzerland.
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