Adso The Monk 10th Century

 

Feastday not known                                               

Born not known                   

Died not Known

                                                                                                                       

Abbot of the Cluniac Monastery of Moutier-en-Der. Born of rich and noble parents, he was educated at the Abbey of Luxeuil and was called to Toul as instructor of the clergy. His writings include hymns, and lives of the Saints.

 

“Some of our teachers say that a King of the Franks will possess the entire Roman Empire. This King will be the greatest and last of all monarchs, and after having prosperously governed his kingdom he will come in the end to Jerusalem and he will lay down his scepter and his crown upon the Mount of Olives. This will be the end and consummation of the Empire of Rome and immediately afterwards Antichrist will come…” 1

 

“Antichrist will be born of Jewish parents, of the tribe of Dan, but his mother will not be a virgin, as many believe.  As the Holy Ghost came into the heart of Mary, so will the devil enter into the mother of Antichrist, and his diabolical power will always support him.  Babylon will be his birthplace, but he will be reared and instructed in Bethsaida and Corozain.  After his education at the hands of malignant spirits he will go to Jerusalem and place his seat in the Temple which he will have restored.  He will submit to the rite of circumcision, claiming that he is the Son of the Omnipotent God.  His first converts will kings and princes.  His influence will extend from sea to sea, largely through force and persuasive eloquence.  He will perform many signs and great miracles.  Those who believe in him will be marked on the forehead with a sign.  For three and a half years he will hold sway and, at the end of that period, he will put to death Henoch and Elias, who will have previously opposed him by preaching the true faith.  Shortly afterwards, Christ will appear, and Antichrist will be killed by Michael the Archangel...” 2

 

“Against the faithful will he rise up in three ways --- that is, by terror, by gifts, and by wonders; to the believers in him will he give gold and silver in abundance; but those whom he shall fail to corrupt by presents he will overcome by fear, and those whom he shall fail to vanquish by fear he will seek to seduce by signs and wonders…” 3

 

“The ruined Temple also, which Solomon raised to God, he shall build and restore to its former state... and he shall circumcise himself, and lie that he is the Son of God almighty... Thereafter shall he send his messengers and preachers to the whole world...” 4

 

“Then shall all the Jews flock unto him, and thinking they shall receive Christ they shall receive the devil... Coming to Jerusalem he shall be circumcised, saying to the Jews, I am the Christ promised unto you, who have come for your weal that I may gather and defend you that are scattered...” 5

 

“Then shall be sent into the world the two great prophets Elias and Enoch, who shall forearm the faithful with godly weapons against the task of the Antichrist, and they shall encourage and get them ready for the war... But after they have accomplished their preaching, the Antichrist shall rise up and slay them, and after three days they shall be raised up by the Lord...” 6

 

“The doctors also teach, as saith Pope Gregory, that Michael the Archangel shall destroy him on Mount Olivet in his pavilion and seat, in that place where the Lord ascended into heaven...” 7

 

References

1. Rev R. Gerald. Culleton The Prophets and Our Times  (Tan Books and Publishers 1941) p 137

2. Yves Dupont Antichrist World Trends Magazine, September, 1975

3. Monk Adso’s Apocalypse composed on request of Queen Gerberga and published under Fr Albinus of Cologne

4. ibid

5. ibid

6. ibid

7. ibid