(4th CENT.)
[Modern Roman Martyrology, and those of Usuardus and Ado. But the
ancient Roman Martyrology, bearing the name of S. Jerome, and those
of Notker Bede (so-called), Rabanus, and others, on Feb. 6th. Nor
are the Martyrologies agreed as to where she suffered, some saying,
"in the East," others "at Rome." Authority:--S. Ambrose, who was of
her family, gives an account of her martyrdom in his Exhort.
Virginit. lib. iii.]
S. Ambrose boasts of this saint as the greatest honour of his family.
She was descended from a long series of consuls and prefects; but her
greatest glory was in despising, for Christ's sake, her wealth, birth,
and beauty. When the edicts of persecution were issued under
Diocletian and Maximian, against the Christians, she was summoned
before the judge, and her face was beaten because she would not deny
Christ. She, however, counted it all joy to suffer in the like manner
of her Master, and, though cruelly beaten, shed not a tear. At length,
overcome by her constancy, the judge ordered her head to be struck off.
One of the Roman catacombs on the Appian way, bears the name of S.
Soteris. This catacomb was restored by Pope Stephen III., when the
roof had fallen in. It has been erroneously supposed, by some, that
this catacomb was called after Pope S. Soter; but Anastasius the
Librarian, in recording the restoration of the cemetery, calls it
"Cemeterium Sanctæ Soteris." Stephen III. (II.) reigned from 752 to
757. The body was removed from this catacomb by Pope Symmachus,
(498-514,) to the church of S. Sylvester, in the city of Rome. A
portion of the relics were given to the church of Sezanne, in the
modern department of Marne, in France. One of her bones is preserved
in the Jesuit Church at Luxembourg. A body of S. Soteris is preserved
in the Cistercian Church at Madrid; but as the history of the Acts of
this S. Soteris cannot be adapted to the saint of Rome, it is probable
that she is some local Spanish saint, of whom nothing authentic is
known.