Aurelius of Riditio was a 5th-century bishop serving in Armenia. Very little is known about his specific life, though historical inscriptions in Milan suggest he died there around 475. According to later hagiographies, he was associated with the Milanese bishop Dionysius, whom he allegedly assisted by returning his body to Milan after a period of exile. His historical details remain sparse, and the location of his origin, Riditio, has not been definitively identified.
Life and legend
While few certain facts exist, tradition links him to the 4th-century bishop Dionysius. Ninth-century biographies claim the two met during an exile following the Council of Milan in 355. These accounts suggest Aurelius fulfilled a promise to return Dionysius to Milan, dying shortly thereafter. Although these timelines present chronological difficulties, the legend became well-established in the Lake Constance region, particularly within the monasteries of Reichenau and St. Gallen.
Veneration and relics
Aurelius is venerated as a patron saint against head ailments. His remains were moved to the monastery of Hirsau around 830, where he became a primary patron. After the Reformation, his relics passed through various noble hands before being returned to the parish church in Hirsau in 1956. He is commemorated in the Catholic tradition on November 9.