Emilian of Cogolla
Saint Aemilian (in Latin Emilianus or Aemilianus) is an Iberic saint, widely revered throughout Spain, who lived during the age of Visigothic rule.
Life
Controversy has surrounded his place of birth, described as Vergegio in his Vita, which is identified with Berceo in La Rioja, close to the monastery he founded, which bears his name and conserves his relics. The much-contested region of La Rioja belonged at times to Aragon, which thus claims him as a native son.
According to his Vita, written by Braulius, bishop of Caesaraugusta (modern Zaragoza) roughly a hundred years after the saint's death, Emilianus was a shepherd who had a religious experience, perhaps around the age of twenty, which led him to decide to dedicate himself to God's service. He sought out an experienced hermit in Bilibio,Felix (more usually known by the Spanish form of his common name, San Felices), where Emilianus lived for a number of years.
After leaving his teacher, Emilianus lived as a hermit (perhaps even a gyrovagus) in the mountains or on the historic Roman road which became the Camino de Santiago. Didymus the Bishop of Tarazona ordained Emilianus as priest. However, Emilianus aroused the opposition of his fellow priests because of his heavy distribution of alms or reputation for holiness or miracleworking. Emilianus returned to the wilderness, and a small community of disciples gathered around his cell. He died at a venerable age, and was buried in his cell.
