Saint Mamilian of Palermo | |
---|---|
Bishop | |
Born | Palermo |
Died | 19 October 460 Isola di Giglio |
Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church Orthodox Church |
Feast | 15 September; 16 June (diocese of Palermo)[1] |
Attributes | episcopal attire |
Patronage | Diocese 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]