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Saint Maximinus of Trier

detail of an Italian holy card of Saint Maximinus of Trier by Bertoni; swiped from Santi e Beati Also known as

Maximinus of Treviri
Maximin
Massimino

29 May

Profile

Born to the Gallic nobility. Brother of Saint Maxentius of Poitiers. Educated and ordained by Saint Agritius, whom he succeeded as bishop of Trier in 332 or 335. Trier was the government seat of the Western Empire, and his office put Maximinus close contact with Emperors Constantine II and Constans. Friend of Saint Athanasius of Alexandria, whom he harboured as an honoured guest during his exile from 336 to 338. Received the banished patriarch Paul of Constantinople in 341, and effected his return to Constantinople.

Fought Arianism. When four Arian bishops came to Trier in 342 to sway Emperor Constans, Maximinus refused to receive them, and convinced the emperor to reject their proposals. With Pope Julius I and Bishop Hosius of Cordova, he persuaded Emperor Constans to convene the Synod of Sardica in 343, and probably took part in it. Arians considered him one of their chief opponents, and they condemned him by name at their synod of Philippopolis in 343. In 345 he took part in the Synod of Milan, Italy. Presided over a synod at Cologne, Germany in 346 where Bishop Euphratas of Cologne was deposed due to his leanings toward Arianism.

Sent Saint Castor and Saint Lubentius as missionaries to the valleys of the Mosel and the Lahn. His cult began right after his death.

Born

at Silly near Poitiers, France

Died

12 September 349 or 29 May 352 (records vary)
in autumn 353, he was buried in the church of Saint John near Trier
in the 7th century the Benedictine abbey of Saint Maximinus was founded there, which flourished till 1802