Solutor
Encyclopedia
Solutor, along with Octavius and Adventor , (died ca. 284 AD) is patron saint
of Turin
.
Historical detail regarding these martyrs is sparse; their memory is preserved because the three were mentioned in a sermon
by Maximus of Turin
. However, Maximus makes no precise geographic or temporal references regarding Solutor, Octavius, and Adventor.
Their legend states that they were members of the Theban Legion
during the end of the 3rd century. While the legion's leader, Saint Maurice
, was killed at Agaunum
, along with many other soldiers, Solutor, Adventor, and Octavius managed to escape. Adventor and Octavius, however, were caught at the Dora Riparia
and killed there. Solutor would be killed at a quarry
near the Dora Baltea
near Caravino
. A matron of Ivrea
collected their bodies in a quadriga
and carried them to Turin.
, bishop of the city, enlarged the church that housed their relics. In 1006, a monastery
, San Solutore, was established by Gezo (Gezone), bishop of the city. The relics of the three martyrs, together with those of Saint Juliana
and Saint Gozzelino (Goslino), second abbot of San Solutore, were transferred to the Turinese sanctuary known as the Consolata after Francis I of France
ordered the demolition of San Solutore. In 1619, the relics were translated to the new church of the Holy Martyrs (Santi Martiri) on the Via Garibaldi. This church was built with the support of the Piedmont
ese pontiff
Pius V and Emmanuel Philibert. The relics are still found at this church.
According to legend, a vision of the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream to John Bosco
in 1844 or 1845 and revealed the site of the martyrdom of Adventor and Octavius. The Basilica dell'Ausiliatrice
was built on the spot.
The cult of Saint Solutor is particularly strong in the diocese of Ivrea, and he is also venerated in Caravino, Romano Canavese
, and Strambino
.
The codex
called the Codice della Catena depicts Saints Octavius, Maximus of Turin, Adventor, Solutor, John the Baptist
, and Secundus of Asti
.
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
of Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
.
Historical detail regarding these martyrs is sparse; their memory is preserved because the three were mentioned in a sermon
Sermon
A sermon is an oration by a prophet or member of the clergy. Sermons address a Biblical, theological, religious, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law or behavior within both past and present contexts...
by Maximus of Turin
Maximus of Turin
Saint Maximus of Turin was a bishop and theological writer. Maximus is believed to have been a native of Rhaetia.-Veneration:His name is in the Roman martyrology on 25 June, and the city of Turin honours him as its patron saint. A life which, however, is entirely unreliable, was written after the...
. However, Maximus makes no precise geographic or temporal references regarding Solutor, Octavius, and Adventor.
Their legend states that they were members of the Theban Legion
Theban Legion
The Theban Legion figures in Christian hagiography as an entire Roman legion — of "six thousand six hundred and sixty-six men" — who had converted en masse to Christianity and were martyred together, in 286, according to the hagiographies of Saint Maurice, the chief among the Legion's...
during the end of the 3rd century. While the legion's leader, Saint Maurice
Saint Maurice
Saint Maurice was the leader of the legendary Roman Theban Legion in the 3rd century, and one of the favorite and most widely venerated saints of that group. He was the patron saint of several professions, locales, and kingdoms...
, was killed at Agaunum
Agaunum
Roman Agaunum, the modern Saint-Maurice in the canton Valais in southwesternmost Switzerland, was a minor post confined between the Rhône and the mountains along the well-travelled road that led from Roman Genava, modern Geneva, over the Alps by the Great St...
, along with many other soldiers, Solutor, Adventor, and Octavius managed to escape. Adventor and Octavius, however, were caught at the Dora Riparia
Dora Riparia
The Dora Riparia is an Italian river, a left-hand tributary of the Po. It is 125 km long, with a 1,231 km² drainage basin. It originates in the Cottian Alps, close to the Col de Montgenèvre in France, where it is called the Piccola Dora...
and killed there. Solutor would be killed at a quarry
Quarry
A quarry is a type of open-pit mine from which rock or minerals are extracted. Quarries are generally used for extracting building materials, such as dimension stone, construction aggregate, riprap, sand, and gravel. They are often collocated with concrete and asphalt plants due to the requirement...
near the Dora Baltea
Dora Baltea
Dora Baltea or Doire Baltée , is a river in northern Italy. It is a left-hand tributary of the Po River, and is about 160 km long...
near Caravino
Caravino
Caravino is a comune in the Province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 45 km northeast of Turin. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 1,031 and an area of 11.5 km²....
. A matron of Ivrea
Ivrea
Ivrea is a town and comune of the province of Turin in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. Situated on the road leading to the Aosta Valley , it straddles the Dora Baltea and is regarded as the centre of the Canavese area. Ivrea lies in a basin that, in prehistoric times, formed a great lake...
collected their bodies in a quadriga
Quadriga
A quadriga is a car or chariot drawn by four horses abreast . It was raced in the Ancient Olympic Games and other contests. It is represented in profile as the chariot of gods and heroes on Greek vases and in bas-relief. The quadriga was adopted in ancient Roman chariot racing...
and carried them to Turin.
Veneration
In 490, Victor of TurinVictor of Turin
Victor of Turin succeeded Maximus as bishop of Turin in 465 AD. He is venerated as a saint....
, bishop of the city, enlarged the church that housed their relics. In 1006, a monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
, San Solutore, was established by Gezo (Gezone), bishop of the city. The relics of the three martyrs, together with those of Saint Juliana
Saint Juliana
-People:* See Paul and Juliana for Saint Juliana ; she also lived with saint Tom martyred with her brother Paul in 270* Saint Juliana of Nicomedia * Saint Juliana of Liège , also known as St. Juliana of Mt. Cornillon...
and Saint Gozzelino (Goslino), second abbot of San Solutore, were transferred to the Turinese sanctuary known as the Consolata after Francis I of France
Francis I of France
Francis I was King of France from 1515 until his death. During his reign, huge cultural changes took place in France and he has been called France's original Renaissance monarch...
ordered the demolition of San Solutore. In 1619, the relics were translated to the new church of the Holy Martyrs (Santi Martiri) on the Via Garibaldi. This church was built with the support of the Piedmont
Piedmont
Piedmont is one of the 20 regions of Italy. It has an area of 25,402 square kilometres and a population of about 4.4 million. The capital of Piedmont is Turin. The main local language is Piedmontese. Occitan is also spoken by a minority in the Occitan Valleys situated in the Provinces of...
ese pontiff
Pontiff
A pontiff was, in Roman antiquity, a member of the principal college of priests . The term "pontiff" was later applied to any high or chief priest and, in ecclesiastical usage, to a bishop and more particularly to the Bishop of Rome, the Pope or "Roman Pontiff".-Etymology:The English term derives...
Pius V and Emmanuel Philibert. The relics are still found at this church.
According to legend, a vision of the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream to John Bosco
John Bosco
John Bosco , was an Italian Catholic priest, educator and writer of the 19th century, who put into practice the convictions of his religion, dedicating his life to the betterment and education of street children, juvenile delinquents, and other disadvantaged youth and employing teaching methods...
in 1844 or 1845 and revealed the site of the martyrdom of Adventor and Octavius. The Basilica dell'Ausiliatrice
Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians
The Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians is a church in Turin, northern Italy. Originally part of the home for poor boys founded by John Bosco, it now contains the remains of Bosco, and 6,000 relics of other saints....
was built on the spot.
The cult of Saint Solutor is particularly strong in the diocese of Ivrea, and he is also venerated in Caravino, Romano Canavese
Romano Canavese
Romano Canavese is a comune in the Province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 40 km northeast of Turin.-Main sights:*Communal Tower , now turned into a church bell tower, and the surrounding park....
, and Strambino
Strambino
Strambino is a comune in the Province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 40 km northeast of Turin. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 6,132 and an area of 22.7 km²....
.
The codex
Codex
A codex is a book in the format used for modern books, with multiple quires or gatherings typically bound together and given a cover.Developed by the Romans from wooden writing tablets, its gradual replacement...
called the Codice della Catena depicts Saints Octavius, Maximus of Turin, Adventor, Solutor, John the Baptist
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
, and Secundus of Asti
Secundus of Asti
Secundus of Asti is venerated as a martyr and saint. His feast day is generally celebrated on March 29. Until the 15th century it was celebrated at Asti on March 30, but it is now celebrated there on the first Tuesday in May. He was a historical figure who was beheaded at Asti under Hadrian...
.