Saint Soter was elevated to the pastoral position of the Holy Church, after the demise of Saint Anicetus the Pope.

Pope Soter was born around 119 AD in a small town in Italy and had Greek parents. The Greek name Soter means 'savior'. His papacy lasted from 166 to 174.

Pope Soter unequivocally declared that a marriage is valid only when a priest blesses the marriage. Thus, he declared that marriage was to be seen as sacred and a sacrament instituted by Christ.

Until the time of Pope Soter, Christians celebrated the Resurrection of Christ every Sunday. But the Pope decreed that Christ's resurrection should be celebrated only once a year. He created an annual festival that took place during this celebration and asked all Christians to join him.

Montanism, another heresy that shook the Church, arose in Asia Minor during the reign of Pope Soter. A person named Montanus claimed himself to be the Paraclete, the Holy Spirt that Christ had promised in the Gospel of John. Likewise, they taught that the heavenly Jerusalem was soon to descend on the Earth in a plain between the two villages of Pepuza and Tymion in Phrygia. They also propagated that marriage was evil and that all should purify themselves through severe penances.

Although this heresy began in Asia Minor, these studies soon spread to other parts and were strongly taught in Rome. Convinced that these studies were against the teachings and beliefs of the Holy Church, Pope Soter strongly condemned Montanism.

Pope Soter did several charitable acts during his papacy. He spoke out against the persecution of Christians. One of the letters Soter wrote during his papacy exists as Saint Dionysus of Corinth preserved a fragment alongwith a letter he himself penned. The letter talked about the pope as a good and faithful man who had a deep concern for others.

Pope Soter was canonized in the Church and listed as an official martyr. He died around 174 AD while still living in Rome, Italy. Tradition holds that he was one of the many early popes who were martyred for their Christian beliefs. The Church celebrates his feast day on April 22 alongwith Saint Caius, who was also a Pope.
-edit & trans. SM