SOTER, Saint, Virgin and Martyr. – Probably martyred during the persecution of Diocletian, she was buried in an above-ground area on the Via Appia.
She was the paternal ancestor of St. Ambrose, who praises her in 377 in the treatise *De virginibus* dedicated to his sister Marcellina, extolling her intrepid fortitude amid torments (III, 7; *PL* 16, 244), and in the *Exhortatio virginitatis*, where he highlights the illustrious lineage of the holy virgin, a woman of rare beauty (« *decora facie valde et nobilis virgo maiorum prosapia, consulatus et praefecturas parentum sacra posthabuit fide* », ch. 12; *PL* 16, 376). A baker named Vitalis is recorded as having been buried on 10 February 401, that is, on the « *natale domnes Sittitis* » (G. B. De Rossi, *Inscriptiones christianae*, I, Rome 1857–61, p. 212, no. 495).
The *Martyrologium Hieronymianum* under the « *octavo id. feb.* », i.e. 6 February, records: « *Romae via Appia in cimiterio eiusdem Sotiritis virginis* »; this feast is also noted on the « *IV id. feb.* » (10) and the « *III id. feb.* » (11), as in the inscription of a certain « *Bitalis pistor* » deposited in the year 401.
SOTER – SOTO DOMINGO
Originally from Fondi, he was the son of a certain Concordius. Nothing is known of his activities; St. Dionysius of Corinth recounts the spirit of charity he displayed in aiding the faithful who, because of persecutions, were forced into exile or condemned to the mines. He was buried in the Vatican.