Two more sons were born to his father when Maurelius was aged 18, named Hippolytus and Rivallus. When Maurelius reached the age of 30 he revealed to his father that he had converted to Christianity but his father refused permission for him to continue living as a Christian. 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.