Saint Nilus of Rossano

Rossano Rossano City in Calabria, birthplace and site of the saint's first retreat. was the only city in the country that had escaped the ravages of the Saracens. There was a famous image of the Blessed Virgin there, which is said to still be in the cathedral. It was at the feet of the Mother of God that Nil solemnly consecrated himself to the Lord; he then visited the monastery of Saint-Mercure, which the holy abbot John was governing at the time; those of Fantin, and of the abbot Zacharias, which were later destroyed by the Saracens, and which were on the coasts of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Having taken the habit in the abbey of Saint-Mercure, he retired shortly after to that of Saint-Nazaire, known today as Saint-Philarète, which is about five miles from the first. He brought to such a high degree of perfection obedience, humility, mortification of the senses, and contemplation, that he was called another Saint Paul, while his friend and spiritual father, Sai saint Fantin Friend and spiritual father of Saint Nilus. nt Fantin, was regarded as another Saint Peter. After a few years, his superiors granted him the permission he requested to go and live in a nearby forest and to fix his dwelling in a hermitage attached to a small chapel of Saint Michael. He subsequently received two disciples, named Stephen and George. The second was a gentleman from Rossano, who died in the odor of sanctity.

Saint Nilus soon became famous for his preaching and miracles. The reputation of his great holiness spread throughout the country; people came from all parts to consult him. In 976, Theophylact, Metropolitan of Calabria, accompanied by Leo, lord of the land, as well as some priests and several other persons, came to see the Saint, less to be edified by his discourses than to know his knowledge and erudition. Nilus noticed this. After having greeted the company honestly and said a short prayer, he presented to Leo a book containing various maxims concerning the small number of the elect. As they were found too severe, the Saint proved that they were in conformity with the principles established by the Gospel, by Saint Paul, and by the Fathers of the Church. "They seem frightening to you," he said, "because they are the condemnation of your conduct. If you do not all live holily, you will not be able to escape eternal torments." These words cast terror into the souls of all the listeners, and they expressed, by their groans and sighs, the sentiments they were experiencing. Someone in the company having asked the holy abbot if Solomon was damned or saved, he replied: "What does it matter to you to know if Solomon is saved or not? What matters for you to know is that Jesus Christ threatens with damnation all those who commit the sin of impurity." He spoke in this way because he knew that the one to whom he was addressing his words was an unchaste man. "I would rather know," he added, "if you will be damned or if you will be saved. As for Solomon, Scripture does not speak at all of his penance, as it does of that of Manasseh."

Euphraxi Euphraxe Governor of Calabria converted by Nilus. os, as filled with vanity as he was with haughtiness, having been sent to Calabria with the title of governor by the court of Constantinople, received gifts from several abbots. Saint Nilus did not follow their example. Euphraxios, to take revenge, sought every opportunity to mortify him; but he soon changed his feelings toward him. Having fallen ill, he sent for him, asked his forgiveness on his knees, and implored him to give him the monastic habit. "The vows of baptism are sufficient for you," the Saint told him: "penitence does not require new ones. Only have a contrite heart and the desire to change your life." Euphraxios, not content with this answer, pressed him again to give him the monastic habit, which was granted to him. As soon as he had received it, he appeared a completely new man; he freed his slaves, distributed all his goods to the poor, and died three days later in great sentiments of piety.

Emperor Otto III, ha L'empereur Othon III Holy Roman Emperor. ving come to Rome, drove out Philagathos, Bishop of Piacenza, whom the senator Crescentius had made antipope. Saint Nil went to find him to beg him, as well as G regory V, Grégoire V Legitimate pope and contemporary of Saint Nilus. who was the legitimate Pope, to show mercy to the Bishop of Piacenza, and not to forget, in the punishment to which he would be condemned, the character with which he was invested. Nil was received with great marks of honor, and he was promised that his recommendation would be heeded. When Otto made a pilgrimage to Mount Gargano, he went to visit the Saint in his monastery, which was but a collection of poor huts. "These men," he said, speaking of Nil's disciples, "are truly citizens of heaven; they live in tents, as strangers on earth." The servant of God led him first to the oratory, where he prayed for some time, and then had him enter his cell. Otto offered him in vain a site to build a monastery, which he promised to endow. "If my brothers," replied Saint Nil, "are true monks, Our Lord will not abandon them when I am no longer with them." — "Ask of me what you will," the emperor replied; "I look upon you as my son, I will grant it to you with joy." Saint Nil, then placing his hand on his chest, said to him: "The only thing I ask of you is that you think of the salvation of your soul. Although you are emperor, you will die and will render an account to God like other men." He would not accept the bishopric of Rossano, and refused to listen to the pressing solicitations made to him to go to the court of Constantinople.

Saint Nilus had formed a kind of community of his disciples who lived in huts near his hermitage; but he could never be persuaded to take the title of abbot. As the Saracens extended their conquests and ravages further and further into Calabria, he withdrew with his monks to Monte Cassino. Aligernus, who was the abbot there, went to meet him with his community and received him with the distinction that his holiness deserved. Some time later, he gave him the monastery of Val di Luce; but Nilus soon left it, because he did not find this place solitary enough. He spent ten years in the monastery of Serperis, located on the seashore. This time having expired, he went with his disciples to Tusculum, twelve miles from Rome, and settled in the hermitage of Saint Agatha, inhabited by Greek religious. He took care to lead his religious in the ways of perfection; but he lived in a separate cell, without assuming the authority of a superior. One must, however, regard him as the principal founder of the monastery of Grottaferrata, although it was completed after his death by Fath Grotta-Ferrata Monastery founded by Saint Nilus near Rome. er Bartholomew. He had been at Saint Agatha for a long time when God called him to Himself. He died in 1005, at the age of ninety-five. His community was later transferred to Grottaferrata, in the vicinity of Tusculum (Frascati).

Saint Nilus and his disciples celebrated the office in Greek and follow ed the Rule of Saint Règle de Saint-Basile Monastic rule followed by Nilus and his community. Basil; thus, he should not be counted among the Saints of the Order of Saint Benedict. His relics were brought to Grottaferrata.

While Saint Nilus the Younger was one day in prayer before a crucifix, Christ detached His right hand to bless him. One can see in the abbey of Grottaferrata a painting that depicts this action. One of the frescoes in this church represents him healing a young possessed man; and another, receiving the Emperor Otto III.

Acta Sanctorum; Godescard.