Mamilian of Palermo

Saint Mamilian of Palermo
Painting of Mamilian and his companions. Cathedral of Palermo.
Bishop
BornPalermo
Died19 October 460
Isola di Giglio
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church Orthodox Church
Feast15 September; 16 June (diocese of Palermo)[1]
Attributesepiscopal attire
PatronageDiocese of Pitigliano-Sovana-Orbetello; Isola del Giglio

Saint Mamilian (Mamilianus) of Palermo, who is venerated with Nympha (Ninfa), Eustotius (Eustozio), Proculus (Proculo, Procuro), and Golbodeus (Golbodeo, Golbudeo), was a bishop of Palermo of the fifth century.[1] Mamilian lived in Sicily at a time when the Vandals dominated the island.[1] He served as bishop of Palermo but was exiled to Africa by the Vandals, who adhered to Arianism, around 450 AD with some Christian companions.[1] One source states that Mamilian was exiled to Tuscany by Genseric, the Vandal king.[2]

However, through the intercession of an African bishop or by some sympathetic Christians, he escaped to Sardinia.[1] After that, he spent time on the island of Montecristo. According to a legend on Montecristo, Mamilian defeated a dragon on the island, and also changed the island's name from Montegiove ("Jove's Mountain") to Montecristo ("Christ's Mountain").[3] A community of hermits, said to have been Mamilian's followers, lived on the island, and around 600 AD, a monastery was built.[3]

He subsequently went also to the island of Giglio, where he died.[1]

Golbodeus's name may be a corruption of Quodvultdeus, a name shared by another 5th-century saint.[4] [5]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Antonino Cottone (2003). "San Mamiliano di Palermo". Santi e beati. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  2. ^ "St. Patrick Catholic Church: Saint of the Day". St. Patrick Catholic Church. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Montecristo Island". Toscana Viva. Archived from the original on January 30, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  4. ^ Recueil des notices et mémoires de la Société archéologique du département de Constantine, Volumes 26-27. Société archéologique du département de Constantine (L. Arnolet, 1892), 17.
  5. ^ http://www.orthodoxengland.org.uk/stdsep.htm