Romanus of Subiaco

Saint Romanus of Subiaco was a hermit in the area around Subiaco in Italy and reposed around 550, or 560 by our calendar. He is commemorated on 22 May.

He is remembered for the help he gave Saint Benedict of Nursia at the start of his life as a hermit: he provided him with a monastic habit, food and shelter, in a cave above the River Anio in which Benedict lived for three years. Romanus is said to have gone to Gaul and founded a small monastery at Dryes-⁠Fontrouge (Druyes-⁠les-⁠Belles-⁠Fontaines) near Auxerre, and to have died there, venerated as a saint. He is sometimes identified with Romanus of Auxerre, venerated as bishop of Auxerre on 6 or 8 October. He was buried at the monastery of Dryes-⁠Fontrouge.