Ursus of Solothurn

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Saint Ursus of Solothurn
Theban Legion Martyrs - Orthodox Icon.jpg
St. Ursus (fourth man from the left in the bottom row) depicted in a Russian Orthodox icon amongst the Theban Legion
Martyr
Diedc.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

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]

Contents

Biography

The 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

Solothurn Madonna, Hans Holbein Hans Holbein d. J. 010.jpg
Solothurn Madonna, Hans Holbein

The 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]

Saint Ursus Fountain in Solothurn, Switzterland, where St. Ursus is depicted as a soldier. Solothurn Markt.JPG
Saint Ursus Fountain in Solothurn, Switzterland, where St. Ursus is depicted as a soldier.

Iconography

Ursus 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

Ursus is the patron of the Roman Catholic cathedral in Solothurn, Switzerland, where his body is located.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Ikone13". Orthodoxe Heilige. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  2. Girgis, S. F. The Coptic Contribution to the Early Evangelization of Switzerland. Zurich, 1984
  3. 1 2 Mershman, Francis. "St. Ursus." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 15. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912 PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  4. 1 2 Widmer, Berthe. "Ursus und Victor", Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz (HLS), February 19, 2013

Wikisource-logo.svg 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.