MASSIMO, bishop of RIEZ, saint. — Born at Dècomer in Provence toward the end of the 4th century; educated piously by his parents, he early distinguished himself by his virtues. He entered the monastery of Lerins, where in 426 he was elected abbot. In 433 he was appointed bishop of Riez; he shone forth for his apostolic zeal and the practice of virtues, attested also by many miracles.
He took part in the Synods of Riez (439), Orange (441), Vaison (442), and Arles (454). In 451 he approved the *Tomus ad Flavianum* of Pope Leo the Great. He died on 27 November, perhaps in 460, certainly before 462, by which time Faustus was already bishop of Riez, and was buried in the church of St Peter, which he himself had built and which a century later took his name. His successor Faustus wrote an encomium of him, and about 585 a certain Dynamius composed a biography. He is commemorated on 27 November.