Peter of Anagni, St.
PETER OF ANAGNI, ST.
Bishop, crusader; b. Salerno, Italy, 1030 or 1035; d. there, Aug. 3, 1105. Peter entered a Benedictine monastery in Salerno. He later became a papal chaplain, and in 1062 alexander ii created him bishop of Anagni. In 1071 Peter became the pope's representative to the Byzantine Emperor Michael VII Ducas. When Michael fell ill, Peter cured him and was lavishly rewarded. He returned to Anagni, where he commenced to rebuild the city's cathedral. Before the reconstruction was finished, Peter left Anagni to participate in the First crusade as a member of the expedition led by Bohemund I. After the capture of Jerusalem, Peter returned to Italy and retired to Salerno. He was buried in the city's cathedral, and then translated to Anagni. By a decree of June 4, 1109, paschal ii authorized his feast day.
Feast: Aug. 3.
Bibliography: Acta Sanctorum Aug. 1:231–242. j. l. baudot and l. chaussin, Vies des saints et des bienheureux selon l'ordre du calendrier avec l'historique des fêtes (Paris 1935–56) 8:59–60.
[j. a. brundage]