St. John of Monte Marano

A native of Monte Vergine, Italy, John entered the Benedictine monastery of Monte Cassino. Out of humility, he vigorously opposed efforts to make him bishop of Monte Marano. At the feet of Pope Saint Gregory VII, John begged not to be raised to the episcopate. The pontiff responded, "It is needful, son, to suffer much for our brethren," explaining that just as God the Father did not spare his Son from immolation for mankind's salvation, he as pontiff could not spare John from the episcopal vocation. He added, "You ought also to remember what the Lord himself said to blessed Peter: 'If you love me, feed my sheep.' This precept, brother, is ours; if we love the Lord, we should feed his sheep...Whence on the Lord's part I command you that you should most diligently receive his yoke." In 1084 John was consecrated bishop of Monte Marano. Many miracles were attributed to his intercession.

Comune in Campania, Italy

Montemarano is a town and comune, former Latin bishopric and present titular see in the province of Avellino in the Campania region of southern Italy.

History

The existence of the town is documented since the 11th century. During the Norman rule of southern Italy, it was completely destroyed. Later it became a fiefdom of Raona of Fragneto. Other important feudal families were the Caracciolo, the Della Leonessa and the Della Marra. There is further evidence that it was a useful stopover by the Roman legions on their way to Brindisi, Terminus Appia A temple to the main Roman God, Jove was revealed decades ago dating to a style of building related to the Greeks. Hence, it is postulated that people inhabited Montemarano since BCE. A fire destroyed much of the documented evidence concerning the entire region,

Culture

The most important event is the Montemarano Carnival with its tarantella montemaranese, an ancient tradition of the place.

Economy

The economy depends on agriculture, mostly on vineyards.