Saint of the Day – 22 February – Saint Maximian of Ravenna (499-556) Archbishop of Ravenna, Italy, completor of the immensely renowned Basilica of St Vitalis and many more Churches. He was a man of creative talents who ordered the creation of many renowned and very beautiful artworks of various types, for his See, as well as, a great lover of Books and literature, ensuring the acquisition of many illuminated manuscripts. Maximian may have been the first Latin Bishop to use the title ‘Archbishop.’ Born in 499 in Pola, Istria (modern Pula, Croatia) and died at Ravenna, Italy in 556 of natural causes. Also known as – Maximianus.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Ravenna in Emilia, Saint Maximian, a Bishop, who faithfully fulfilled his pastoral office, fought against heretics and beautified the buildings of his See.”
Born in the Istrian City of Pula (Croatia), Maximian was Consecrated Bishop of Ravenna in 546 by Pope Vigilius in Patras, Greece. Maximianus was a forty-eight year old Deacon when he became the twenty sixth Bishop of Ravenna.
According to the ninth Century Ravennate Priest, Andreas Agnellus, Maximian’s flock initially refused his leadership because he was selected by the Emperor Justinian and was not their initial candidate.
He completed the renowned Basilica of St Vitalis in Ravenna and also built St Apollinare in Classe and several other Churches.
Maximian devoted himself too, to the updating of Liturgical books and to the authoritative corrections of the Latin text of Sacred Scriptures and commissioned a large number of illuminated manuscripts.
For the High Altar at Ravenna, he had a hanging made of the most costly cloth, which was embroidered with a portrayal of the entire life of Jesus. In another hanging he had portraits of all his predecessors embroidered on gold ground.
Maximian’s most remarkable Episcopal furnishing is the Bishop’s Cathedra, now known as the Throne of Maximian. The Cathedra is constructed entirely of ivory panels. It was probably carved in Constantinople and shipped to Ravenna. It consists of decorative floral panels framing various figured panels, including one with the complex monogram of the Bishop.
In the world famous Mosaic at Ravenna, Saint Maximian (named above the figure) is shown leading a procession with Emperor Justinian. The Saint holds a Cross and wears a chasuble and stole.
We have no firm knowledge of where St Maximian’s Relics lie but presume they are in St Vitalis Basilica. There is another Church dedicated to him in Ravenna.
AnaStpaul 