Ηegumen / Abbot
He was born in Leinster in 543. He received spiritual instruction from the Wise Sinell in Cuainera. He moved to the monastery of Bangor, where he studied Latin and Greek. In 587, he went to Gaul with twelve companions, founded a monastery on the site of the temple of Diana in Burgundy, and then two more monasteries: in Luxeuil and Fontenelle. In Luxeuil, the Irish method of calculating the Paschal feast was preserved, which met with opposition from the Gallic bishops. For refusing to bless the illegitimate children of the grandson of Queen Brunhilda, he faced royal sanctions against the monastery. The saint was imprisoned but managed to escape. By royal decree, he was exiled to Ireland, but he found himself back in Gaul, where he was warmly received by King Theodebert of Austrasia.
He founded a monastery in Bregenz, but soon, due to political changes, he went to Italy. In 613, he arrived in Milan to King Agilulf of the Lombards, who, despite his Arian views, received the saint with respect. The saint founded a monastery in Bobbio, where he spent the last two years of his life, adhering to the Irish practices and rules. He died on November 23, 615, and this date became the feast day of the saint. Two years after his death, a monk named Iona from Bobbio wrote his life.
On May 14, 2018, at a meeting of the Holy Synod, it was decided to include the name of the Blessed Columbanus in the calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church.
