SS. Socrates & Stephanus
(Died AD 304)

Socrates & Stephanus are said to be two, almost forgotten, early martyrs of Britain. Their existence is somewhat questionable, but they do appear in Martyrologium Hieronymianum MS.50 from Trinity College, Dublin (11th century) and one of the earliest amplifications of Bede's Martyrology.

Tradition makes them disciples of St. Amphibalus, converted after his famous, though short-lived, escape from the Roman authorities during the religious persecutions of the Emperor Diocletian (c.AD 304).

They were apparently martyred together on 17th September, it has been suggested in Monmouthshire; though the reasoning is unclear.

Records of SS. Socrates & Stephanus date back to the 11th century. They are generally considered apocryphal.

 

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