Reinbern (died 1013 or 1015) was the only bishop of the short-lived Diocese of Kołobrzeg (1000 – c. 1007).
Reinbern was born in the Hassegau area of the medieval Duchy of Saxony. [1] When Holy Roman Emperor Otto III met with his friend, the Polish duke Boleslaw I in the Congress of Gniezno (Gnesen), the Archbishopric of Gniezno was founded. [2] [3] One of Gniezno's subordinated bishoprics was the Diocese of Kołobrzeg., [2] [3] [4] Its purpose was to advance the Christianization of the pagan Pomeranians that shortly before had been subdued by the Poles. Reinbern was made bishop. [3] [4] It is documented that he "baptized" the Baltic Sea by spilling Holy Oil and Holy Water into the sea. He also demolished shrines of pagan gods in Pomerania. [1] [4] Yet, after his bishopric was driven out during a pagan uprising, he returned to Boleslaw's court. In 1009, he accompanied Boleslaw to the marriage arranged between Boleslaw's daughter and Sviatopolk, the prince of Turov in Kievan Rus', [5] where an internal crisis involving Boleslaw's daughter led to the arrest of Reinbern by Vladimir I. [4] Soon afterwards, he died imprisoned in 1012. [4] [5]
Reinbern (died 1013 or 1015) was the only bishop of the short-lived Diocese of Kołobrzeg (1000 – c. 1007).
Reinbern was born in the Hassegau area of the medieval Duchy of Saxony. [1] When Holy Roman Emperor Otto III met with his friend, the Polish duke Boleslaw I in the Congress of Gniezno (Gnesen), the Archbishopric of Gniezno was founded. [2] [3] One of Gniezno's subordinated bishoprics was the Diocese of Kołobrzeg., [2] [3] [4] Its purpose was to advance the Christianization of the pagan Pomeranians that shortly before had been subdued by the Poles. Reinbern was made bishop. [3] [4] It is documented that he "baptized" the Baltic Sea by spilling Holy Oil and Holy Water into the sea. He also demolished shrines of pagan gods in Pomerania. [1] [4] Yet, after his bishopric was driven out during a pagan uprising, he returned to Boleslaw's court. In 1009, he accompanied Boleslaw to the marriage arranged between Boleslaw's daughter and Sviatopolk, the prince of Turov in Kievan Rus', [5] where an internal crisis involving Boleslaw's daughter led to the arrest of Reinbern by Vladimir I. [4] Soon afterwards, he died imprisoned in 1012. [4] [5]