ALEXANDRU NAN, The abbey of St. Maurice at 1500 years of existence. The oldest functional monastery
in the West, at anniversary moment
Last year, the abbey in St. Maurice (Switzerland), the oldest functional monastery in the West, celebrated
1500 years of existence. The abbey was built in 515 over the tomb of St. Maurice, Commander
of the Theban Legion, who died as a martyr together with a signifi cant number of his soldiers.
After the Romans withdrew, the territory located between Geneva and Embru becomes Burgundian
dominion. Initially witnesses of Arianism, they will convert to the Orthodox faith in 505-506. In
515 Prince Sigismund build the Burgundian abbey, which later became one of the most important
for the Gallic monasticism. Following the Eastern model, continuous prayer (laus perennis) was
introduced here. At the collapse of the fi rst Burgundian kingdom, St. Maurice and the other martyrs
from the Theban Legion became spiritual patrons of the Franks. Until the ninth century, the
bishops from Wallis were residing in this abbey, which over time was enriched with many relics and
precious objects and today it houses one of the greatest treasures of sacred art in Europe. For the
Jubilee, the monastery was renovated and many events were held.
KEYWORDS: abbey of St. Maurice, St. Maurice, Switzerland, Burgundian kingdom, Wallis

ALEXANDRU NAN