Gerland of Agrigento

Saint Gerland of Agrigento (Italian: San Gerlando di Agrigento), also known as Gerland of Besançon (d. 25 February 1100) was a bishop of Agrigento in Sicily.

History

Believed to have been a native of Besançon, he was a relative of the Norman Roger I of Sicily. After the expulsion of the Saracens from Sicily, in 1088 (or 1093) Roger summoned Gerland as the first post-Saracen bishop of Agrigento, to re-establish the church throughout the island.

He was canonised in 1159. His relics are in a silver urn in Agrigento Cathedral, which has been dedicated to him since its rebuilding by bishop Bertaldo di Labro in 1305.

His feast day is 25 February.

Sources and external links

• Santi e Beati: San Gerlando (in Italian)
• The cult of Saint Gerland at Porto Empedocle (in Italian)
• lavalledeitempli.it: Agrigento Cathedral (in Italian)