 He was a disciple of the abbot at Sithiu, saint Bertin († c.709), himself a disciple of saint Columbanus of Luxeuil, the Celtic abbey in the French Vosges mountains.Later Erkembode was elected by the clergy and people as bishop of Thérouanne, while remaining abbot of his abbey.In later times that abbey of Sithiu became part of the Order of Saint Benedict after the Carolingian reforms of Benedict of Aniane.