Joachim of Fiore

Founder and abbot of the monastery of Fiore in Calabria, Kingdom of Sicily.
Joachim was a controversial apocalyptic theologian who expected the imminent coming of the Antichrist. He developed a theory of the Three Ages based on his interpretation of hidden meanings in the Bible, particularly ther Book of Revelation.
Joachim's works had a profound influence on Franciscan Spirituals in the 13th century, but his theories were refuted by Thomas Aquinas in Summa Theologica (1265-1274), though Joachim himself was never condemned as a heretic and continued to be held in high regard by churchmen.

Physical Description

Apparel & Accessories

Joachim is known for extreme asceticism, and invariably wears rags rather than a full habit.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Joachim was born in the village of Celico in Calabria, the son of a notary, Mauro de Celico. His mother was named Emma.
He was educated at Cosenza and became clerk to the courts, then a notary. In 1159 he went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land where he expereinced a revelation and determined to take up the spiritual life. On his return to Calabria he lived as a wandering hermit for several years, then joined the Cistercian abbey of Sambucina. He continued preaching, against the precepts expected of a monk, and was persuaded to join the Abbey of Corazzo, where he devoted himelf to biblical study, attempting to discern hidden meanings he thought were concealed within the scriptures.
In 1166/7 he worked for Stephen, Arhcbishop of Palermo, a counsellor to Margaret of Navarre. At that time she was regent to her young son, William II of Sicily.
He was ordained a priest in 1168. in 1177 he was elected Abbot of Corazzo, against his wish, and attempted to join the monastery to the Cistercian order. The Cistercians refused due to the poverty of the monastery. In 1178, at his request, King William II of Sicily donated additional lands to Corazzo, and Joachim appealed to Pope Lucius to relieve him of the abbacy. Lucius agreed and allowed Joachim to move to an abbey of his choice.
He moved to rhe Abbey of Casamari, where he wrote his three great books. In 1184 he was in Rome, where he interpreted an obscure prophecy from the papers of Cardinal Matthew of Angers. He won approval from several popes, though his work had only just begun to circulate.
He founded the Abbey of San Giovanni in Fiore (Fiore Abbey) in 1188, promoting a new, stricter interpretation of the Cistercian code. In 1191 he met with Richard I of England in Messina at the king's request. He prophesied Richard's endeavours on crusade would be successful, that Jerusalem would be taken and Salah ad-Din slain, "And God has decreed that all these things will be done through you. Persevere in the enterprise you have begun and He will give you victory over your enemies and glorify your name for evermore." Following Saladins' defeat, he said, the Antichrist would come to power and rule for 3½ years. The Antichrist, Joachim said, had already been born in Rome and was then 15 years old. Richard, however, believed the Antichrist would be born in Egypt or Antioch.

Social

Religious Views

Joachim's intensesearch for hidden meanings in the Bible led him to develop the idea that there are three overlapping ages of the world, each with their own characteristics.
The Age of the Father represents the seven ages of the Old Testament, beginning with Adam and ending with the birth of Christ. Its characteristic way of life is that of married people.
The Age of the Son began with the righteous King Josiah, reached fruition with the brith of Christ, and would end soon. Its characteristic way of life is that of the clerical orders.
The Age of the Holy Spirit began with St Benedict and would reach fruition in the near future; it will last until the end of time. This would be marked by extraordinary advances in the understanding of the Bible and a terrifying increase on attacks on the church by the forces of evil. Two new orders of clergy, one of preachers and the other spiritual, will defend the church from the coming Antichrist. This achieved, the Age of the Holy Spirit would become a utopia.
The prophecy of the two new orders seems to presage the development of the Dominicans and the Franciscans.

Mannerisms

Joachim rarely speaks publicly without mentioning the Antichrist, who he believes was born in Rome c. 1176.

Date of Death

1202

Year of Birth

1135 AD 57 Years old

Birthplace

Celico, Calabria

Belief/Deity

Christian

Aligned Organization

Latin Church