Ursus of Solothurn

Ursus of Solothurn was a 3rd-century Roman Christian venerated as a saint. He was associated very early with the Theban Legion and is recorded in the Roman Martyrology, with Victor of Solothurn on 30 September.

Saint Ursus of Solothurn
The Saint Ursus Fountain, Solothurn. Ursus is depicted as a soldier.
Died	~286 AD
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church
Major shrine	Solothurn
Feast	30 September
Attributes	military attire

Legend

The Life of Ursus was written by Eucherius of Lyon in the 5th century; 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.^[1]

Veneration

 

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.^[2]

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]

Iconography

Ursus is depicted as a soldier in arms, often with his head under his arm.^[2] 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.

References

1. 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.
2. 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.