Gabrino, Augustino

Gabrino, Augustino an Italian fanatic, was born at Brescia, and lived in the latter half of the 17th century. He was chief of a sect of fanatics called the Chevaliers of the Apocalypse. He declared his intention of defending the Catholic Phurch against the antichrist whose reign he believed to be approaching. He gave as ensigns to 'his followers a sabre and staff of command in the form of a cross, a sparkling star, and the names of three angels. Gabriel, Michael, and Raphael, upon their clothing. They numbered about twenty-four, mostly artisans. On Palm Sunday of 1694, Gabrino rushed, sword in hand, upon the ecclesiastics, claiming their homage. He was accordingly imprisoned as a madman. A number of his. proselytes were arrested upon the confessions of one of them, and the rest dispersed. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.