Mamilian of Palermo | |
|---|---|
 Painting of St. Mamilian and his companions, located in theCathedral of Palermo. | |
| Bishop of Palermo | |
| Born | Palermo |
| Died | 19 October 460 Giglio Island |
| Venerated in | Eastern Orthodox Church Roman Catholic 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 withNympha (Ninfa), Eustotius (Eustozio), Proculus (Proculo, Procuro), and Golbodeus (Golbodeo, Golbudeo), was abishop of Palermo of the fifth century.[1]
Mamilian lived inSicily at a time when theVandals dominated the island.[1] He served as bishop of Palermo but was exiled to Africa by the Vandals, who adhered toArianism, around 450 AD with some Christian companions.[1] One source states that Mamilian was exiled toTuscany byGenseric, the Vandal king.[2]
However, through the intercession of an African bishop or by some sympathetic Christians, he escaped toSardinia.[1] After that, he spent time on the island ofMontecristo. According to a legend on Montecristo, Mamilian defeated adragon on the island, and also changed the island's name fromMontegiove ("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 ofGiglio, where he died.[1]
Golbodeus's name may be a corruption ofQuodvultdeus, a name shared byanother 5th-century saint.[4][5]
According to a tradition on Giglio, inhabitants ofElba andGenoa attempted to steal Mamilian's relics on the very day of his burial[6] and the saint's body was torn to pieces. The island of Giglio kept the saint's arm.[6]
Some sources say Mamilian's relics weretranslated toRome, to the Church ofSanta Maria in Monticelli, and subsequently toSpoleto.[1] Some of his relics may have been taken to Palermo.[2] Another tradition states thatCosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany returned Mamilian's entire body to Giglio in the 17th century.[6]
On the island of Giglio, celebrations dedicated to Saint Mamilian start on September 15 and last for four days, consisting of a process of his relics (Mamilian's arm), games, music, and a traditional mass.[6]
In 1673, Archbishop Juan Lozano of Palermo erected statues to Mamilian, Eustotius, Proculus, and Golbodeus in the cathedral of Palermo.[7] The statues were made by Travaglia (Mamilian, Golbodeus) and Antonio Anello (Eustotius, Proculus).[7]
