Maurus of Parentium

Saint Maurus
St Maurus on the Mosaic with Mother Mary and Child shown third from left with a crown of martyrdom in his hand
Bishop and Martyr
Born	3rd century
Died	late 3rd century Poreč/Parenzo
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church
Major shrine	Votive chapel in the Euphrasian basilica
Feast	21 November
Attributes	bishop holding the crown of martyrdoom in his hand
Patronage	Poreč/Parenzo, Croatia

Maurus of Parentium is the patron saint of the Istrian city of Poreč/Parenzo in Croatia, called Parentium in Roman times. He is commemorated on November 21.

Narrative

According to one account, Maurus was of noble Roman birth, and became the city's first bishop. The ninth century Martyrologium of the Benedictine monk, Rabanus Maurus contains the "Passion of St. Maurus", which describes him as an pilgrim from Africa who got caught up in the Diocletian Persecution.

The earliest basilica in Poreč, dating back to the second half of the 4th century, held the relics of Saint Maurus and was dedicated to him. In 1354 his remains were stolen by the Genoese and interred in the Church of San Matteo. They were returned to Poreč in 1954.

In the present basilica, constructed in 553, Maurus is depicted in one of the mosaics on the apse. A votive chapel, next to the sacristy, holds the relics of Saint Maurus.

He is also portrayed in an apse mosaic in the Chapel of San Venanzio at the Lateran Baptistry. The chapel was commissioned by Pope John IV, a native of Dalmatia, to commemorate the saints of his homeland and Istria.