Maximian of Bagai

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Maximian of Bagai was a 5th century

Roman North Africa
could become violent.

Maximian of Bagai
Born4th Century
Died5th Century
Venerated in
Donatist controversy

Biography

About 401

Bishopric had long been a center of Donatism and Maximian was almost killed by his former colleagues on two occasions.[1]
Such that Augustine once said of him He has more scars than limbs.

He was first attacked in his

Catholic
supporters after sustaining serious wounds.

A second time he was attacked by a

circumcellion mob in a similar way. He had used the civil courts to secure possession of a disputed chapel,[3] but as he was taking possession he was attacked and dragged to the top of a tower from which he was thrown. As fate would have it his fall was broken when he landed in a pile of manure. He was found injured by a sympathetic couple and hidden.[4]

In 404 he appealed to the

Roman Emperor Honorius regarding these abuses.[5] The emperor reinstated laws against the Donatists as a result.[6]

Augustine in a letter of 402 states that Maximian had abdicated possibly under duress.[7] and Augustine encouraged Maximian's brother Castorius to replace him.[8]

He is venerated by the Catholic Church as a

Roman Martyrologium
.

References

  1. ^ Serge Lancel, Saint Augustine(Hymns Ancient and Modern Ltd, 2002)p289.
  2. ^ Erika Hermanowicz, Possidius of Calama: A Study of the North African Episcopate in the Age of Augustine (Oxford University Press, 2008) p142.
  3. ^ E. M. Atkins, Robert Dodaro, Augustine: Political Writings (Cambridge University Press, 2001) p241.
  4. ^ J. Patout Burns, Robin M. Jensen, Christianity in Roman Africa: The Development of Its Practices and Beliefs (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2014)p234.
  5. ^ Erika Hermanowicz, Possidius of Calama: A Study of the North African Episcopate in the Age of Augustine [Oxford University Press|OUP Oxford], 2008) p149.
  6. ^ Edward Ambrose Burgis, The annals of the Church [by E.A. Burgis p306.
  7. ^ Nicene and Ante-Nicene Fathers, Ser. II, Vol. XIV.
  8. ^ John E. Rotelle, The Works of Saint Augustine: A Translation for the 21st Century (New City Press, 2001 ) p262.