Saint Maximinus of Trier
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| Saint Maximinus of Trier | |
| Feast Day | May 29 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Trier, protection against perjury, loss at sea, destructive rains |
| Birthplace | Silly near Poitiers, France |
| Death Place | Poitiers, France |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | St. Maximin’s Abbey, Trier, Germany (destroyed) |
Saint Maximinus of Trier (d. September 12, 346) was a saint and Bishop of Trier, Germany, renowned for his opposition to Arianism and hospitality to exiled orthodox leaders. Born at Silly near Poitiers, France, he was educated by St. Agritius, whom he succeeded as bishop in 332 or 335. Maximinus sheltered St. Athanasius of Alexandria during his exiles in 336–338 and 343, and St. Paul of Constantinople in 341.
A key figure in the Arian controversy, he opposed heretical bishops at the Synod of Sardica (c. 342) and influenced Emperor Constans to reject Arian proposals. Praised by St. Jerome as “one of the most courageous bishops of his time,” his feast day is May 29.[1][2]
His cult was strong in Trier and Alsace, with his tomb at St. Maximin’s Abbey (formerly St. John’s) a pilgrimage site until its destruction in 1802. Maximinus’ defense of orthodoxy and missionary work in the Mosel and Lahn valleys shaped the early Western Church. Medieval legends conflating him with Maximinus of Aix, linking him to Mary Magdalene, are historically inaccurate.[3][4]
Biography
Birth
Saint Maximinus was born at an unknown date in Silly near Poitiers, France, to a noble Gallic family. His brother, St. Maxentius, was bishop of Poitiers before St. Hilary. Little is known of his early years, but his noble lineage suggests a privileged upbringing.[1][5]
Early Life
Drawn to Trier by Bishop St. Agritius, Maximinus received his education and was ordained a priest there. Trier, a key city under the Western Roman Emperor, provided a prominent platform for his later work. His early commitment to orthodoxy was shaped by the First Ecumenical Council’s (325) condemnation of Arianism.[1][4]
Occupation
Maximinus became Bishop of Trier in 332 or 335, succeeding St. Agritius, and served until his death. He advised Emperors Constantine II and Constans against Arian influence, hosted St. Athanasius during his exiles (336–338, 343), and aided St. Paul of Constantinople’s return to his see in 341. He participated in the Synods of Sardica (c. 342), Milan (345), and possibly Cologne (346), opposing Arian bishops and deposing Euphratas of Cologne for heresy.[2][3]
Vocation
Maximinus’ vocation was defending orthodox Catholicism against Arianism, which denied Christ’s divinity. His hospitality to exiled saints like Athanasius and Paul strengthened the orthodox cause. He sent missionaries, Sts. Castor and Lubentius, to the Mosel and Lahn valleys, expanding Christianity. Condemned alongside Athanasius at the Arian synod of Philippopolis (343), he was praised by St. Athanasius and St. Jerome for his courage and miracles.[1][5][6]
Death
Saint Maximinus died on September 12, 346, in Poitiers, France, of natural causes, likely while visiting relatives. Initially buried near Poitiers, his relics were translated to Trier in 353, interred in the church of St. John (later St. Maximin’s Abbey). His cult began immediately, with Trier honoring him as its patron.[1][2]
Significant events
- Ordained priest by St. Agritius in Trier, c. 330.
- Became Bishop of Trier, 332 or 335.
- Hosted St. Athanasius during exiles, 336–338 and 343.
- Aided St. Paul of Constantinople’s return, 341.
- Opposed Arian bishops at the Synod of Sardica, c. 342.
- Died in Poitiers, September 12, 346, relics moved to Trier, 353.[1][3]
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Silly near Poitiers, France
Death location: Poitiers, France
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Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
The process to recognize Saint Maximinus as a Servant of God is undocumented, as his veneration predates modern canonization. His defense of orthodoxy and miracles spurred devotion in Trier after his death in 346.[1]
Venerable
Maximinus was not formally declared Venerable, as his sainthood emerged through pre-Congregation practices. His cult grew, supported by St. Jerome and Gregory of Tours, who attested to his veneration at St. John’s church.[2]
Beatification
No distinct beatification process is recorded, as Maximinus’ sainthood relied on popular devotion. His tomb became a pilgrimage site by the 7th century, when the Benedictine abbey of St. Maximinus was founded.[4]
Canonization
Saint Maximinus was recognized as a saint through pre-Congregation processes, without a formal canonization date or canonizer. His feast day, May 29, appears in the martyrologies of St. Jerome, St. Bede, and St. Ado, confirming his status.[1]
Miracles
No specific miracles are documented for Maximinus’ canonization, as his sainthood was based on his defense of orthodoxy and hospitality. Sources note he was “famous for the gift of miracles,” but details are lacking.[6]
Miracle for beatification
No miracle is recorded, as Maximinus’ recognition predates the modern beatification process.
Miracle for canonization
No miracle is recorded, as his sainthood was established through popular devotion.[1]
Other notable miracles
- General reputation for miracles, per St. Athanasius and St. Jerome, though specifics are unrecorded.[4]
Patronage
Saint Maximinus is the patron of Trier, the Diocese of Trier, and is invoked against perjury, loss at sea, and destructive rains, reflecting his protective legacy.[6]
Feast day
His feast day is celebrated on May 29 in the Roman Catholic Church, as noted in early martyrologies.[1]
Veneration
Saint Maximinus is venerated through prayers and historical remembrance, particularly in Trier, where he is the city’s patron. His cult was centered at St. Maximin’s Abbey until its dissolution in 1802. His image, often with episcopal vestments or a church model, adorns Trier’s churches. Feast day Masses honor his defense of orthodoxy. Medieval legends linking him to Mary Magdalene in Aix-en-Provence are inaccurate, derived from Mary of Egypt’s story.[2][7]
Books
Written about the saint
- Lives of the Saints, Vol. VI by Alban Butler[3]
- Ecclesiastical History of the English People by Bede[1]
- Der heilige Maximinus und der heilige Paulinus, Bischöfe von Trier by Diel[1]
Written by the saint
- None recorded, though he may have written works, now lost, per St. Athanasius.[4]
External links
- Saint Maximinus of Trier at CatholicSaints.Info
- St. Maximinus of Trier at Catholic Online
- St. Maximinus in the Catholic Encyclopedia
- Maximin of Trier at Wikipedia
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "St. Maximinus". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10077a.htm.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Maximin of Trier". Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximin_of_Trier.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Butler, Alban (1866). Lives of the Saints. VI. London: Burns, Oates, and Washbourne. https://archive.org/details/livesofsaints06butl.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Saint Maximinus of Trier". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-maximinus-of-trier/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Maximinus of Trier". OrthodoxWiki. https://orthodoxwiki.org/Maximinus_of_Trier.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Saint of the Day – 29 May – St Maximinus of Trier". Anastpaul. 2022-05-29. https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/29/saint-of-the-day-29-may-st-maximinus-of-trier-died-c-346/.
- ↑ "St. Maximinus of Trier". Trier Tourismus und Marketing GmbH. https://www.trier-info.de/en/history/st-maximinus.