St. Satyrus of Milan

Satyrus of Milan (San Satiro) was an Italian Catholic administrator born in Augusta Treverorum, who was the brother of Ambrose of Milan and Marcellina.

He was born around 331 at Augusta Treverorum (modern Trier, Germany), moved to Rome with his family and was subsequently trained as a lawyer.

Appointed prefect to one of the Roman provinces, he resigned his post when Ambrose became Archbishop of Milan in order to assume administration of the secular affairs of the archdiocese.

He died unexpectedly at Milan in 378 and was eulogised by his brother with the funeral sermon, On the Death of a Brother (De excessu fratris Satyri). The church of Santa Maria presso San Satiro in Milan refers to him.

The surviving historical record

The surviving biographical account of this saint is brief. It does not establish a complete chronology of childhood, family life, and daily activities. This page includes the available account rather than supplying imagined conversations or undocumented events. Where the account reports a tradition, it should be read as a tradition, not as a modern eyewitness record.