Christian feast day: Vergilius of Salzburg

Virgil of Salzburg

Irish churchman, astronomer and bishop

Virgil, also spelled Vergil, Vergilius, Virgilius, Feirgil or Fearghal, was an Irish priest and early astronomer. He left Ireland around 745, intending to visit the Holy Land; but, like many of his countrymen, he settled in Francia. Virgil served as abbot of Aghaboe, bishop of…