| Saint Mamilian of Palermo | |
| Death Date: | 19 October 460 |
| Feast Day: | 15 September; 16 June (diocese of Palermo) |
| Venerated In: | Roman Catholic ChurchOrthodox Church |
| Birth Place: | Palermo |
| Death Place: | Isola di Giglio |
| Titles: | Bishop |
| Attributes: | episcopal attire |
| Patronage: | Diocese of Pitigliano-Sovana-Orbetello; Isola del Giglio |
Saint Mamilian (Mamilianus) of Palermo, who is venerated with Nympha (Ninfa), Eustotius (Eustozio), Proculus (Proculo, Procuro), and Golbodeus (Golbodeo, Golbudeo), was a bishop of Palermo of the fifth century.[1] Mamilian lived in Sicily at a time when the Vandals dominated the island.[1] He served as bishop of Palermo but was exiled to Africa by the Vandals, who adhered to Arianism, around 450 AD with some Christian companions.[1] One source states that Mamilian was exiled to Tuscany by Genseric, the Vandal king.[2]
However, through the intercession of an African bishop or by some sympathetic Christians, he escaped to Sardinia.[1] After that, he spent time on the island of Montecristo. According to a legend on Montecristo, Mamilian defeated a dragon on the island, and also changed the island's name from Montegiove ("Jove's Mountain") to Montecristo ("Christ's Mountain").[3] A community of hermits, said to have been Mamilian's followers, lived on the island, and around 600 AD, a monastery was built.[3]
He subsequently went also to the island of Giglio, where he died.[1]
Golbodeus's name may be a corruption of Quodvultdeus, a name shared by another 5th-century saint.[4] [5]
According to a tradition on Giglio, inhabitants of Elba and Genoa attempted to steal Mamilian's relics on the very day of his burial[6] and the saint's body was torn to pieces. The island of Giglio kept the saint's arm.[6]
Some sources say Mamilian's relics were translated to Rome, to the Church of Santa Maria in Monticelli, and subsequently to Spoleto.[1] Some of his relics may have been taken to Palermo.[2] Another tradition states that Cosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany returned Mamilian's entire body to Giglio in the 17th century.[6]
On the island of Giglio, celebrations dedicated to Saint Mamilian start on September 15 and last for four days, consisting of a process of his relics (Mamilian's arm), games, music, and a traditional mass.[6]
In 1673, Archbishop Juan Lozano of Palermo erected statues to Mamilian, Eustotius, Proculus, and Golbodeus in the cathedral of Palermo.[7] The statues were made by Travaglia (Mamilian, Golbodeus) and Antonio Anello (Eustotius, Proculus).[7]