Chapter M: Aurelius. Soter,

_Eleventh_ BISHOP _of_ Rome.

[Sidenote: Year of Christ 168. ]

_Soter_, the Successor of _Anicetus_, is highly commended on account of his extensive Charity towards the Poor of other Churches, but more especially towards those who were condemned for the Confession of their Faith to work in the Mines[218]. [Sidenote: _His Charities to the distressed Christians._] These he is said not only to have relieved in their Distress with generous Gatherings made for that Purpose at _Rome_, wherein he followed the Example of his Predecessors, but moreover to have sent Letters to them in their afflicted Condition. This we learn from a Letter of _Dionysius_, then Bishop of _Corinth_, which was an Answer to a Letter from _Soter_, and the Church of _Rome_. _Dionysius_ returns Thanks to the _Romans_, and their Bishop, for their Generosity to the Poor of _Corinth_; acquaints _Soter_ that his Letter had been publicly read; adds, that he shall cause it to be read for the future; and closes his Epistle with great Encomiums on the _Romans_, who had so generously contributed to the Support of the indigent _Corinthians_[219]. This laudable Custom did not end with the Second Century of the Church; for _Dionysius_ of _Alexandria_, writing about the Year 254. to _Stephen_ Bishop of _Rome_, says, that all _Syria_ and _Arabia_ felt the good Effects of the Generosity of the _Romans_[220]. And some Years after, that is, about the Year 260. Pope _Dionysius_ being informed, that the City of _Cæsarea_ in _Cappadocia_ had been ruined by the Wars, and many Christians carried into Captivity, he sent large Sums to ransom them, with a Letter to the Church of _Cæsarea_, which was still read in St. _Basil_’s Time[221]. _Eusebius_ tells us, that this Custom continued till the last Persecution[222]. How differently the immense Revenues of the See of _Rome_ are employed now, those know who have seen the extravagant Pomp, Luxury, and Parade of that Court. [Sidenote: _The Heresy of_ Montanus _broached in his Time_.] In the Year 171. the Fourth of _Soter_, was broached the Heresy of the _Montanists_, so called from their Ringleader _Montanus_[223]. Against these _Soter_ is said, by an anonymous Writer of some Antiquity, to have composed a Book, which was answered, according to the same Writer, by _Tertullian_, become the Defender of that Sect[224]: but, according to the best Chronologists, _Tertullian_ did not turn _Montanist_ till many Years after the Death of _Soter_; and, besides, both _Soter_’s Book, and _Tertullian_’s Answer to it, were quite unknown to _Eusebius_, and even to St. _Jerom_, who took great Delight in reading _Tertullian_. _Soter_ presided Eight Years, according to _Eusebius_[225]; that is, from the Year 168. to 176. or to the Beginning of 177. the 17th Year of the Reign of _M. Aurelius_. [Sidenote: _He did not die a Martyr._] The Title of Martyr is given him by the modern Writers, but not by _Irenæus_, or any of the Antients. To him are falsly ascribed Two Epistles, which have been placed among the Decretals. Where he was buried is uncertain; but his Body is worshiped, at present, in the Church of St. _Sylvester_ at _Rome_, _and in the Cathedral of_ Toledo _in_ Spain[226].

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Footnote 218:

Euseb. l. 4. c. 23.

Footnote 219:

Idem ib.

Footnote 220:

Idem, l. 7. c. 5.

Footnote 221:

Basil. ep. 220.

Footnote 222:

Euseb. l. 4. c. 23.

Footnote 223:

Euseb. chron.

Footnote 224:

Auct. anonym. de hæres. Sirmund. edit. hær. 26. 86. p. 28. 79.

Footnote 225:

Euseb. l. 5. p. 153.

Footnote 226:

Bar. in martyrol. 22 April. et Bolland. ad eund. diem.

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