According to tradition, he was a
Roman patrician, the son of Maxentia and a man whose name is sometimes given as
Theodosius. His brothers, Claudian and Magorian, are also venerated as saints. Vigilius was educated at
Athens and seems to have been a friend of
John Chrysostom. In 380, Vigilius settled in the city of
Trent and was chosen as the city's bishop. He may have been consecrated by either
Ambrose of
Milan or (Valerianus) of
Aquileia. Ambrose donated the episcopal insignia and showed a paternal solicitude for Vigilius. As bishop, Vigilius attempted to convert
Arians and
pagans to
Nicene Christianity and is said to have founded thirty parishes in his diocese. He is traditionally regarded as the founder of the
Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Trent. A letter attributed to Ambrose encourages Vigilius to oppose marriages between Christians and pagans. Vigilius also preached in
Brescia and
Verona, which lay outside of his diocese. His companions during his missions were (), who were sent by Ambrose to assist Vigilius. Tradition makes these three natives of
Cappadocia. A work called
De Martyrio SS. Sisinnii, Martyrii et Alexandri is attributed to Vigilius. ==Death==