BEATO DE LIÉBANA

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Beato en su scriptorum. Relieve de Jesús Otero

A quick look at the figure of Beato will give us an idea of the religious and cultural development of the monastery. Beato was a monk who lived about the middle of the 8th century. In the year 776 (784 in the second version) he wrote a book titled Comentario al Apocalipsis (Comments on the Apocalypse) to discuss the impenetrable text of San Juan. He wrote his book relying on other books written by Oriental and Roman Holy Priests, which shows the great library this monk from Liébana must have posessed.
At the time, Beato became quite well-known due to his support (joined by his mate's, Eterio) of the Catholic ortodoxy against the heresy which stated that Christ was only God's adopted child. The Emperor Carlomagno himself became also involved in this controversy. He called to a Council in Ratisbon in which our monk's position against the heretics was ratified.
Besides, Beato composed the hymn "O Dei Verbum" for the festivity of Santiago in the Mozarabic liturgy. The praise of the Apostle in the humn marked the beginning of the cult of Santiago as Spain's Patron and favoured the discobery of Santiago's tomb. However, in addition to his historical influence - he was adviser of the Asturian king Silo and confessor of the Queen Adosinda - Beato has passed into the History of Art because next to the texts his book showd illustrations and miniatures which have been called after the author's name. To these days there have beed found 24 illustrated manuscripts, whose topics and technique have been essential for the evolution of Mozarabic and Romanic painting and sculpture.