Hierarch Soter, Pope of Rome

Hierarch Soter was born in the city of Fondi in Campania, the son of Concordius. He became Bishop of Rome around 165/168, succeeding Anicetus, and led the Church until around 174/177.

Church tradition credits him with instituting the church blessing of marriage and expanding the celebration of Easter in Rome. He corresponded with Bishop Dionysius of Corinth on matters of doctrine and pastoral practice — this letter is mentioned by Eusebius of Caesarea. He was buried in the Catacomb of Callixtus.

IMPORTANT NOTE: no historical evidence of a violent death survives; the Roman Martyrology itself does not give him the title of martyr — this appears to be a later blanket assumption applied to early Roman bishops. The category has been corrected from "martyr" to "hierarch." No standing independent commemoration was found on the standard Russian Orthodox calendar; the date given (April 9/22) derives from Western liturgical tradition, attested from the 9th century.

The images in our database — an engraving from a series of papal portraits (captioned "SOTHER I PP CAMPANVS") and a medallion-style portrait — both confirm the identification as a Pope of Rome, shown in episcopal vestments.