Feastday: June 10
Death: 250
Martyred deacon of Aquila, Italy. He was thrown over a cliff by the Roman authorities for refusing to deny the faith. Maximus is patron saint of Aquila.
Saint Maximus of Aveia (d. ca. 250 AD) (sometimes also known as Saint Maximus of Aquila) is one of the patron saints of L'Aquila, Italy.
He was born in Aveia, nowadays known as Fossa. A deacon, he was martyred for his faith. The tradition says he was tortured and then thrown over a cliff near his native city. This occurred during the persecutions of Decius.
In 1256 the episcopal seat of Aveia was moved to L'Aquila, together with the relics of Maximus. The newly-built cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of L'Aquila was dedicated in his name and that of Saint George, another martyr.
