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Ursus of Solothurn was a 3rd-century Roman Christian who is venerated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Coptic church and Roman Catholic church. He was associated very early with the Theban Legion and is recorded in the Roman Martyrology, commemorated with St. Victor of Solothurn on 30 September.[1]
Saint Ursus of Solothurn | |
|---|---|
 St. Ursus (fourth man from the left in the bottom row) depicted in a Russian Orthodox icon amongst the Theban Legion | |
| Martyr | |
| Died | c. 286 AD |
| Venerated in | Eastern Orthodox Church Coptic church Roman Catholic church |
| Major shrine | Solothurn |
| Feast | 30 September |
| Attributes | military attire, martyr's cross |
| Patronage | Solothurn |
Biography
editThe Life of Ursus was written by Eucherius of Lyon in the 5th century;[2] it recounts that Ursus was tortured and beheaded at Solothurn under Emperor Maximian and the governor Hyrtacus for refusing to worship idols around 286. The legend is classed by Bollandist Hippolyte Delehaye among the historical romances.[3]
Veneration
editThe first church dedicated to Ursus in Solothurn was probably built after Victor of Solothurn's remains were taken to Geneva in the late 7th century. The Treaty of Meerssen of 870 mentions a monastery of St. Ursus in Solothurn.[4]
His relics are displayed in churches throughout Switzerland, and his coffin was found in 1519 under the choir altar of St. Ursen. His feast day is September 30.[1][3]
Iconography
editUrsus is depicted as a soldier in arms, often with his head under his arm.[1][4] He is depicted in the Solothurn Madonna by Hans Holbein the Younger.
Patronage
editUrsus is the patron of the Roman Catholic cathedral in Solothurn, Switzerland, where his body is located.
References
edit- ^ a b c "Ikone13". Orthodoxe Heilige. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
- ^ Girgis, S. F. The Coptic Contribution to the Early Evangelization of Switzerland. Zurich, 1984
- ^ a b Mershman, Francis. "St. Ursus." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 15. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b Widmer, Berthe. "Ursus und Victor", Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz (HLS), February 19, 2013
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "St. Ursus". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.