Maurelius of Imola

Saint Maurelius, hieromartyr, was bishop of Imola in Italy in the first half of the sixth century and was killed during the war with the Arian Goths. He died in 532 or 542. He is commemorated on 6 May.

He was born in Forum Cornelii, today Imola. He was made bishop of Imola in the first half of the sixth century. At that time the region was at war with the Ostrogoths, who were Arians. Maurelius was tormented after the Ostrogoths, led by Totila, conquered Forum Cornelii and Faenza in 541.

After his death he was buried in the old cathedral, and in 1208 his relics were moved to the new cathedral. He is first mentioned in documents of 1155, then in 1174 as bishop, and in 1208 as bishop and martyr. Only since the sixteenth century has he been recognised as bishop of Imola.

The historian Francesco Lanzoni cast doubt on whether Maurelius really existed, and a historian of Faenza says that Maurilius of Imola may have been confused with another saint, hence the uncertainty about his life.