Giovanni di Matera

Who was Giovanni di Matera?

Saint John of Matera or Mathera, also Saint John of Pulsano was a Benedictine monk.

He was born at Matera and lived at Monte Vergine under William of Vercelli. He made many enemies by his upright life and was eventually imprisoned. He was rescued from prison by Grimoald, Prince of Bari, who ordered him to give an account of his theology to prove his orthodoxy. He preached under Grimoald in Bari.

His alternate name comes from his foundation of the monastery of Saint Mary of Pulsano, of which he was the first abbot. He died in 1139 at Pulsano of natural causes. He was buried in a cave in his abbey. In 1830 his relics were translated to Matera Cathedral, where they remain.

He is remembered on 20 June and is portrayed as an abbot driving the devil away with a rod.