John the Good | |
|---|---|
| Archbishop of Milan | |
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| Appointed | c. 641 |
| Term ended | c. 660 |
| Predecessor | Forte |
| Successor | Antonino |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Died | 669 |
| Sainthood | |
| Feast day | 2 January (Roman Catholic Church) 10 January (Eastern Orthodox Church) 15 January (Ambrosian Rite) |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Patronage | Milan,Italy |
John the Good (Latin:Ioannes Bonus,Italian:Giovanni Bono orBuono), also known asJohn Camillus,[1] wasArchbishop of Milan from c. 641 to 669.[2] He is honoured as asaint in theEastern Orthodox Church andRoman Catholic Church.
The reign of Johnthe Good is remembered for the return of the bishop to the town ofMilan after an exile of more than 70 years. Actually in 569, theLombards invaded Northern Italy and conquered its center, Milan, which was recovering from the terribleGothic War. The bishop of Milan,Honoratus escaped toGenoa and Honoratus' successors remained in Genoa.[3] Genoa was then asuffragan diocese of Milan but still under the control of theByzantine Empire.
John the Good was born in the diocese of Genoa in the village ofRecco (although the nearby town ofCamogli also claims to be his birthplace). It is not exactly known when he became bishop of Milan, but it is believed that his election was in consequence of the 641 conquest of Genoa by the King of the LombardsRothari.[2] John as bishop returned to reside in Milan.[4]
In 649, John was invited to participate to theLateran Council, but he arrived in Rome when the council had already ended. He still however subscribed to all the documents issued by the council.[3]
There are two main sources for John's life: theCatalogue of the Bishops of Milan (dated from about the 10th century) and apoem (Italian:Carme)[5] in his honor, which can be dated from the 11th to the 13th century. According to thiscarme, John was distinguished for his generosity and charity, from which he was given the sobriquetthe Good (Latin:Bonus). Also according to thecarme, he accomplished miracles, he moved some of therelics ofSaint Syrus of Genoa toDesio which he erected as ecclesiastical/administrative territory (Pievan Church) and he died in 669 leaving all his properties, including estates in the area ofGenoa, to the Church of Milan. The 669 as date of his death is however not coherent with thecatalogue, which suggests a ten years reign, i.e. a death no later than the 659.[2]
John died on 2 January according to theCatalogue, or on 10 January according to thecarme. The latter date became his initialfeast day, and it is still his feast day in theEastern Orthodox Church to this day.[1] Today, his feast is celebrated on 2 January (or 15 January in thecathedral of Milan, together with all thecanonised bishops of Milan on 25 September).[3]
The body of John was initially buried in the little church ofSaint Michaelin Domo in Milan and the first survey on his relics was made by archbishopAribert (1018–1045). On 24 May 1582, shortly before the demolition of the Church of St. Michael, cardinalCarlo Borromeotranslated the body of John to the southtransept of thecathedral of Milan, where it is still venerated.[3] The body of the saint is 1.90 metres (6 ft 3 in) in height.[2]
| Ancient age |
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| Genoa period |
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| Middle Ages |
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| Modern age |
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$=considered an intruder by theCatholic Church | |
