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Alferius

930 – 1050

Abbot and saint

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About Alferius

Lived 930 – 1050 (aged 119–120). Alferius was a monk and catholic priest.

Alferius (930–1050) was an Italian abbot and saint.

Life Alferius was born in Salerno to the noble Pappacarbona family. He spent many years in service to Guaimar. Prince of Salerno. In 1002, Alferius was named to head a delegation from his city to King Robert II of France. Taking ill during the journey, he convalesced at the monastery of S. Michele della Chiusa. While there, he met Odilo of Cluny and vowed to become a monk himself if he recovered. He spent some time at Cluny before returning to Salerno.

Around 1020, he withdrew to the foot of Monte Finestra, southwest of Cava, where he lived a life of contemplation and prayer. At the beginning of the 11th century, a nucleus of hermit monks, attracted by the famed saintliness of Alferius, joined him. In 1011, he founded the monastery of La Trinità della Cava. It followed the Benedictine rule.

Veneration The first four abbots of Cava were officially recognized as saints on December 21, 1893, by Pope Leo XIII. The first four abbots are Alferius; Leo I (1050–79); Peter of Pappacarbone (1079–1123); and Constabilis.

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Important facts

Born
930, Salerno
Birth century
Positions held
Bishop, Abbot

People in Alferius's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Alferius's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Alferius?

Abbot and saint

When was Alferius born?

Alferius was born in 930 in Salerno.

When did Alferius die?

Alferius died on 12 April 1050 in Territorial Abbey of La Trinità della Cava.

What was Alferius's occupation?

Alferius was a monk and catholic priest.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Alferius

· Wikidata: Q974972

· DBpedia: Alferius

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Alferius. https://biography.guide/alferius/

MLA: "Alferius." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/alferius/.

Chicago: "Alferius." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/alferius/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-25 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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