DEMETRIADE. - A Roman virgin and disciple of s. Girolamo, daughter of the consul and senator Olibrio, of the Probi family, and of Giuliana, of the Anicia family, born between the end of the 4th century and the beginning of the 5th. Having taken refuge in Carthage during the invasion of the empire by the Goths, she won the admiration and goodwill of all by her beauty and rare moral virtues. She was about to embrace the married state when, having heard a discourse by s. Agostino on the merits of virginity, she decided to consecrate herself entirely to God. Then s. Girolamo, at the invitation of her mother and grandmother Proba, addressed a letter to her, in order to strengthen her in the path she had undertaken and to warn her of the dangers that would severely test her resolve.
Besides Agostino and Girolamo, Pope Innocenzo I and Pelagio, not yet an open supporter of his heterodox ideas, also addressed various writings to her. Before long the example of D. was followed by many of her relatives and servants, so that her house became a domestic monastery. As events changed, she returned to Rome, always persevering in her ascetic purpose and benefiting everyone. Under the pontificate of s. Leone (440-61), she built at her own expense the basilica of S. Stefano on the Via Latina. This is the last certain information we have about D.