MARINO, saint. - As early as the end of the 5th century there existed on Monte Titano, near Rimini, a monastery in whose church, dedicated to St. Peter, a St. M. was venerated; but no information concerning him was available until, between the 9th and 10th centuries, a highly legendary life was written.
According to this account, M. was a Dalmatian Christian who came to Italy in 257, together with his friend Leone, to work on the rebuilding of the walls of Rimini by order of Diocletian. When the walls were completed, he remained at Rimini for another thirteen years, preaching the Christian religion with great success. After spending a year in solitude in a cave on Monte Titano, his refuge was discovered; disturbed by visitors, he left that place and withdrew to the summit of the mountain, where he built a small cell and a church, which he dedicated to St. Peter. Ordained deacon at Rimini, he returned to his cell, where he died peacefully and was buried in the church of S. Pietro. He is commemorated on 3 September and is the patron of the Republic of S. Marino.