Maximian of Bagai

Maximian of Bagai was a 5th century bishop of Bagai in Roman North Africa. His life shows the extent that the religious schism in Roman North Africa could become violent.

Biography

About 401AD Maximian converted from Donatism to Catholicism. His Bishopric had long been a center of Donatism and Maximian was almost killed by his former colleagues on two separate occasions.[1] Such that Augustine once said of him He has more scars than limbs.

In the first he was attacked in his cathedral, by a Donatist mob who used clubs and swords,[2] where he was rescued by 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 Maximians brother Castorius to replace him.[8]

He is venerated by the Catholic Church as a saint. His feast-day is October 3 according to the 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.
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