Saint of the Day – 10 February – Saint Soteris the Martyr (Died c304) Virgin Martyr

Saint of the Day – 10 February – Saint Soteris the Martyr (Died c304) Virgin Martyr. Her name is derived from the Greek and means saviour. Also known as – Soteris of Rome, Soteres.

The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Rome, on the Appian Way, St Soteres, Virgin and Martyr, who was descended of a noble race, as St Ambrose testifies but for the love of Christ, set at naught the consular and other dignities of her family. On her refusal to sacrifice to the gods, she was, for a long time, cruelly buffeted. After she had overcome varioys other torments, she was struck with the sword and joyfully went to her heavenly Spouse.”

Soteris was a woman of very great beauty, who, in contrast to the women of her station at that time, dressed modestly and consecrated her virginity to Christ. She was arrested on account of her faith and underwent torture, before being finally beheaded around 304 during the persecutions of Diocletian.

Her remains were buried in the Catacombs of Callixtus along the Appian Way which also contained the remains of Saint Cecilia and many other Martyrs. In the same region, a great Basilica was erected in her honour.

Saint Ambrose has told us that he and his siblings, were descended from St Soteris’ family and he has left us some writings regarding our Saint.