Fortis of Astorga

Fortis of Astorga (also called Fuertes) was a Benedictine monk, abbot of the monastery of San Pedro de Montes and bishop of Astorga from 920 until his death around 930, in El Bierzo, in Spain. He is not to be confused with Fortis, bishop of León around 981.

He was a disciple of Saint Genadius at the monastery of Ageo, probably Ayoó de Vidriales, and followed him when he withdrew to San Pedro de Montes. He succeeded him as abbot when Genadius was named to lead the diocese of Astorga, in 899. When Genadius gave up the see to return to the ascetic life, he recommended Fortis to King Ordoño II as his successor, which indeed happened. Old documents mention him as bishop from 912, but some authors think their date may be wrong or that at that time Fortis was an auxiliary bishop to Genadius. From 920 he appears as titular bishop.

He was counted a saint soon after his death. He was buried in the monastery of Santiago de Peñalba until 1603, when the duchess of Alba, María de Toledo, and her brother exhumed his remains, with those of Saints Genadius and Urban, to take them to their Dominican convent at Villafranca. In 1621 the chapter of Astorga demanded the return of the relics, which were moved to the cathedral.

He is a saint of the West, from Christian Spain before the great separation; no Orthodox synodal canonization is known.