September 17, 2010

The Relics of Saint Sophia of Rome


The relics of Saint Sophia and her three daughters were originally laid in a crypt on the Latin Way in the Cemetery of Gordianus and Epimachus outside the Latin Gate, where other 2nd century martyrs were laid.

Some of her relics were brought by St. Remigius of Strasbourg to the Abbey of Saint Trophime at Eschau, Alsace in 777 with the blessing of Pope Adrian. The Gothic sarcophagus (pictured) is said to contain relics of all four Saints. The Breviary of Strasbourg (1476) places the feast of St. Sophia and her three daughters to May 10, which was the day that the translation of their relics took place in Alsace and also is the feast day of Sts. Gordianus and Epimachus. The Orthodox Church honors St. Sophia and her three daughters Faith, Hope and Love on September 17th.

Pope Sergius II transferred her relics around 845 to the high altar of the church of San Martino ai Monti in Rome.