Life Rupert of Salzburg

baptism of duke theodo bishop rupert, franciscus de neve (ii) (c. 1670)

as worms bishop, rupert @ first accepted wise , devout dignitary, however, pagan community came reject him , forced him out of city. end of 7th century, agilolfing duke theodo of bavaria requested come residence @ regensburg (ratisbon) spread christian faith among bavarian tribes.

rupert moved altötting, converted locals. sailed down danube river, visiting many towns, villages , forts. had converted large area along danube southeastward bavarian border pannonian lands under rule of avar khaganate. here stayed @ lorch, former roman city of lauriacum (today part of enns), christian church—the present basilica of st. lawrence—already existed.

warlike conditions in borderlands made him abandon plans of missionary work in territories of pannonian avars. instead proceeded along roman road via seekirchen ruined city of juvavum, made base , renamed city salzburg (latin: salisburgum). in lorch, rupert able build on ancient christian traditions in place. re-established convent @ st. peter s abbey , laid foundations of salzburg cathedral finished successor vergilius. founded benedictine nunnery of nonnberg beneath festungsberg fortifications (later hohensalzburg castle), niece erentrude became first abbess.

rupert introduced education , other reforms. hands of duke theodo of bavaria, bishopric received estates around piding , reichenhall, promoted development of local saltworks. rupert s mission work spread alps, first monastic cell (cella maximiliana) founded @ present-day bischofshofen 711.

rupert reportedly died on easter sunday around 710. according other sources, returned hometown of worms, died in 717. mortal remains transferred salzburg cathedral bishop vergilius on 24 september 774.