Quote of the Day:

“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”--Tertullian of Carthage

Rembrandt. The Martyrdom of St. Stephen

Early Christian Martyrdom

1. Persecution under Trajan in 112. 2. Martyrs of Vienne & Lyons.3. Seminar: martyrdom of St

Polycarp.4. Theological significance of

martyrdom.

St. Sebastian

Persecution under Emperor Trajan

Emperor Trajan 98-117

Pliny the Younger Governor of

Bythinia 111-113

• Time: 112AD

• Place: Bythinia, Asia Minor

• Occasion: Pliny toured his province and discovered a group that looked like a secret society

Why are Christians a problem?

• Temples deserted• Nobody buys sacrificial

animals• Christians disrupt local

economy

‘Horrible’ facts about Christians that Pliny discovered

• Christians meet on Sunday• Sing a hymn to Christ ‘as to a god’• Promise to each other not to act

immorally• Eat together• Conclusion: ‘depraved, excessive

superstition’

Trajan’s reply to Pliny

• Do not seek Christians out

• do not consider anonymous accusations

• Give them a chance to sacrifice

• Punish only those who refused to sacrifice Temple dedicated to

Trajan in Pergamum

Map 2nd c.

Martyrs of Vienne and Lyons, 177.

Martyrdom was a public event

Amphitheater. Tunisia.

Gladiators fight with leopards. Mosaic in Amira, Tunisia.

Left: Emperor Commodus as HerculesBelow: gladiators fighting

Martyrdom of St. Polycarp of Smyrna (69-155)

• Proconsul: “Swear by the fortune of Caesar. Say: ‘Away with the atheists.’ Curse Christ.”

• Polycarp: “How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?.. I am a Christian.

Execution of Blandina (177 CE)Blandina was hung up fastened to a stake and exposed, as food to the wild beasts that were let loose against her. Because she appeared as if hanging on a cross and because of her earnest prayers, she inspired the combatants with great zeal. For they looked on this sister in her combat and saw, with their bodily eyes, Him who was crucified for them, that He might persuade those who trust in Him that every one who suffers for the glory of Christ has eternal communion with the living God. When none of the wild beasts at that time touched her, she was taken down from the stake and taken back to prison. She was preserved for another contest. By gaining the victory in more conflicts, she might make the condemnation of the Crooked Serpent unquestionable, and she might encourage the brethren. Though she was an insignificant, weak, and despised woman, yet she was clothed with the great and invincible athlete Christ. On many occasions she had overpowered the enemy, and in the course of the contest had woven for herself the crown of incorruption.