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Saint Maximilian of Celeia

illustration of the martyrdom of Saint Maximilian; from 'Bavaria Sancta', 1861, artist unknown Also known as

Maximilian of Celaja
Maximilian of Celje
Maximilian of Cilli
Maximilian of Lauriacum
Maximilian of Lorch
Maximilian of Pongau
Massimiliano…
Maksimilijan Celjski

12 October
29 October on some calendars

Profile

Born to the nobility, the only child of rich and pious parents. After the death of his parents, Maximilian freed the family slaves and gave away his fortune to the poor. Pilgim to Rome, Italy. Sent as a missionary to Noricum and Pannonia by Pope Saint Sixtus II. First bishop of Lorch, Norucum. After 20 years of work as a missionary bishop, he returned to Celeia where he became a noted preacher. Ordered by secular authorities to prove his loyalty by sacrificing to idols; Maximilian refused. Martyred by order of governor Eulasius.

Born

in Celeia (modern Celje, Slovenia)

Died

beheaded on 12 October 284
buried outside Celeia (modern Celje, Slovenia)
by the 8th century his relics had been moved to Salzburg, Austria and a chapel built over the grave
on 9 September 878 his relics were known to be in Altötting, Germany
c.980 Bishop Pilgrim of Passau transfers the relics of Maximilian to Passau
his relics processed through Passau in 1634 to protect the city from plague
sarcophagus opened in 1662, and found empty