Alberic of Utrecht

Saint Alberic of Utrecht was a Benedictine monk and bishop of Utrecht, in what is today the Netherlands. He departed to the Lord on 21 August 784. The Church commemorates him on 14 November.

He was the nephew of Saint Gregory of Utrecht. Little is known of his life before he entered the Order of Saint Benedict. He is known as prior of the monastery of Saint Martin in Utrecht. When Gregory fell asleep in the year 775, Alberic took over the care of the diocese, and later he went to Cologne, where he was consecrated bishop of Utrecht. According to some sources his episcopate lasted from 775 to 784.

Alberic worked to deepen the faith of his flock, who still kept many pagan customs. His diocese was noted for the success of its mission among the pagan Germanic peoples and for the renewal of the school of Utrecht. He also directed the mission of Saint Ludger in Ostergau, in Frisia.

Alberic was a good friend of Alcuin, a scholar and poet of York and the foremost learned man of that age. The friendship speaks of his own learning as well: he is said to have had a wide knowledge of the faith.

He is honoured as a saint by the Orthodox Church and by the Catholic Church.