He succeeded his father on his death, but passed the throne to Hippolytus soon afterwards to follow his faith more closely, beginning spiritual instruction under Theophilus of Antioch, bishop of Smirne, who finally ordained him a priest.

Theophilus then authorised him to examine the heretic abbot Severinus of Noricum, who refused to obey the order to come to be tried.

Maurelius was then invited to Rome by Pope John IV to explain how this heterodoxy had occurred and how best to counter it.

During it a hand appear blessing him and words were heard praising him for renouncing earthly honours to embrace Christianity.

[1] In 1106 Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor had a vision of the saint and translated his relics to the church of San Giorgio in Ferrara.