First Martyrs Of The Church Of Rome

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Crying Voice in the Wilderness _/ Christian Martyrs

The Ten Persecutions of the Early Christians
Persecutions Raised by the Romans Against the Christian Church

Christians have been persecuted ever since the death of Jesus Christ. The persecutions raised by the Romans against the Christian Church can be divided into ten main ones, which began during the reign of the following emperors:

1.		Nero (Roman emperor AD 54–68), persecution stirred up in AD 64. In this persecution was the apostle Paul killed and the apostle Peter crucified in Rome. This first persecution ceased under Vespasian (reigned AD 69–79).

2.		Domitian (Roman emperor AD 81–96). John, the apostle and evangelist was exiled to Patmos during this persecution. After the death of Domitian, John was released and came to Ephesus in AD 97, where he wrote his Gospel and where he lived until the time of Trajan.

3.		Trajan (Roman emperor AD 98–117). Ignatius, the bishop of Antioch suffered in this persecution.

4.		Marcus Aurelius, his other name being Antoninus Verus (Roman emperor AD 161–180). Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna, and the Christian martyrs of Lyons and Vienne, two cities in France, were martyred in this persecution.

5.		Septimius Severus (Roman emperor AD 193–211). This persecution extended to northern Africa, which was a Roman province.

6.		Maximinus, Gaius Julius Verus (Roman emperor AD 235–238).

7.		Decius (Roman emperor AD 249–251). In this persecution was Fabian martyred; Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, forced into exile; and Origen imprisoned and tortured.

8.		Valerian (Roman emperor AD 253–260).

9.		Aurelian (Roman emperor AD 270–275).

10.		Diocletian (Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus, reigned AD 284–305) and Maximian (reigned AD 285–305) governed as emperors together. Diocletian began his furious persecution against the Christians in 303. The emperor ordered the doors of the Christian church at Nicomedia, the capital, to be barred, and then burnt the edifice with 600 Christians within. Many edicts were issued by him against Christians. Churches were demolished, Christian books were seized and burnt, Christians were persecuted, imprisoned, tortured and killed. The persecution brought a considerable number of martyrs, and it continued until 313, when Emperor Constantine set Christians free and proclaimed religious freedom.

The best account of these ten persecutions is the Church History of Eusebius of Caesarea. Eusebius (c AD 260–340) was an eyewitness to many martyrdoms in Caesarea (an important city in Palestine) during the tenth persecution stirred up by Diocletian. After the persecution ended in 313, Eusebius became the bishop of Caesarea.

Eusebius was one of the most voluminous writers of antiquity. His most important work is the Church History, which gives an account of the history of Christianity from the time of Jesus Christ to AD 324, the time of Emperor Constantine and the defeat of Licinius. This work is very valuable, as it refers to many prominent figures of the first three centuries and contains many original sources which would otherwise be unknown to us. The following pages contain those parts of this work which deal with the ten persecutions.

Eusebius of Caesarea *Church History*

The First Persecution		The Sixth Persecution

The Second Persecution		The Seventh Persecution

The Third Persecution		The Eighth Persecution

The Fourth Persecution		The Ninth Persecution

The Fifth Persecution		The Tenth Persecution

Created: 11/05/2000

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The Ten Persecutions of The Early Christians

From a letter to the Corinthians by Clement 1,pope

Though victims of jealousy, they gave the finest example

Let us leave behind the examples from times of old, and come to those who struggled closest to us;let us consider the noble models of own generation. It was through jealousy and envy that the greatest and most upright pillars of the Church were persecuted and struggled unto death.Let us set before our eyes the good apostles.First of all, Peter, who because of unreasonable jealousy, suffered not merely once or twice but many times, and having thus given his witness, went to the place of glory that he deserved. It was through jealousy and conflict that Paul showed the way to the prize for perseverance.He was put in chains seven times, sent into exile, and stoned; a herald both in the east and the west, he achieved a noble fame by his faith. He taught justice to all the world and, when he had reached the limits of the western world, he gave his witness before those in authority;then he left this world and was taken up into the holy place a superb example of endurance.

Around these men with their holy lives there gathered a great throng of the elect, who, though victims of jealousy, gave us the finest example of endrance in the mids of many indignities and tortures.THrough jealousy women were tormented like Dirce or the daughters of Danaus, suffering terrible and unholy acts of violence. But they courageously finished the course of faith and despite their bodily weakness won a noble prize. It was jealousy that separated wives from husbands, and violated the words of our father Adam: This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. Jealousy and strife have overthrown great cities and uprooted mighty nations.

We are writing this, beloved,not only for your admonition but also as a reminder to ourselves;for we are placed in the same arena,and the same contest lies before us.Hence we ought to put aside vain and useless concerns and go straight to the glorious and venerable norm which is our tradition,and we should consider what is good, pleasing and acceptable in the sight of him who made us. Let us fix our gaze on the blood of Christ, realizing how precious it is to his Father, since it was shed for our salvation and brought the grace of repentance to all the world.

Sorry but this link: "See also Augustine About the Persecutions of the Early Christians." doesn't work.You'll have to go the link I show:"Ten Persecutions for the Early Christians" and you'll see a good link at the bottom of the page.

FYI...some links to Eusebius writings on the early church

Cornelius Tacitus talks about the persecutions of the Christians in his "ANNALES" written around 109 a.d.He was a pagan writer:

[15.44] Such indeed were the precautions of human wisdom. The next thing was to seek means of propitiating the gods, and recourse was had to the Sibylline books, by the direction of which prayers were offered to Vulcanus, Ceres, and Proserpina. Juno, too, was entreated by the matrons, first, in the Capitol, then on the nearest part of the coast, whence water was procured to sprinkle the fane and image of the goddess. And there were sacred banquets and nightly vigils celebrated by married women. But all human efforts, all the lavish gifts of the emperor, and the propitiations of the gods, did not banish the sinister belief that the conflagration was the result of an order. Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired. Nero offered his gardens for the spectacle, and was exhibiting a show in the circus, while he mingled with the people in the dress of a charioteer or stood aloft on a car. Hence, even for criminals who deserved extreme and exemplary punishment, there arose a feeling of compassion; for it was not, as it seemed, for the public good, but to glut one man's cruelty, that they were being destroyed.

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THE LITANIES OF THE MARTYRS AND SAINTS
OF THE CATACOMBS OF ST. CALLIXTUS

INTRODUCTION

The invocation of the Martyrs and of the Saints, in alternating choirs between the ministers and the assembly is a particular form of prayer of the faithful. It is an expression of one of the most joyful articles of our faith: the Communion of Saints.
The names chosen for these litanies are only those of the Martyrs and Saints buried in the Catacombs of St. Callixtus. The Christian Community of Rome takes its origin from these witnesses of the Faith. Their blood was, according to the well known remark of Tertullian, the seed of new Christians.
Martyrs and Saints are venerated and invoked in the local Churches on their dies natalis, i.e. on the day of their birthday into heaven. It is a constant practice of the Church to meet in liturgical assemblies either in the place of their martyrdom or close to their glorious sepulchres.
" Encouraged by the testimony of Martyrs and Saints, the Church, pilgrim on earth, faces everyday the good battle of faith to share the same crown of glory, and invokes the mercy of the Father, who reveals his power in the weak and gives the defenceless the strength of martyrdom" (1)
The purpose of the litanies is to address petitions by the Christian people to Christ through His dearest friends, the Martyrs and the Saints. Each litany is always preceded by the invocation to God three Persons in one and to Christ the Lord. There follows the remembering of the Holy Mother of God, "in Whom the Church admires the most sublime fruit of redemption". Lastly, are named the Popes, the Bishops, the Martyrs and the Virgins buried in the Cemetery of Saint Callixtus.
The members of the Pilgrim Church are thus united in communion of praise and supplication to those who already contemplate the face of God. This communion reaches its summit in the Eucharist, when heaven and earth, the angels, the saints and the faithful still on their way, join in the same praise, through the Lord Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to the glory of God the Father.

THE CULT OF MARTYRS

After the martyrdom of its bishop Polycarp and eleven of the faithful (in 156, or in 157 A.D.), the Church of Smyrna (in modern Turkey) informed "the Church of God which is pilgrim at Philomelius (in Frigia) and all the communities of the holy universal Church" of their glorious death, and added:
"We worthily venerate the martyrs as disciples and imitators of the Lord and for their supreme fidelity towards their King and Master, and may it be granted to us also to become their companions and fellow-disciples...
Having collected the bones of Polycarp, more precious than rare gems and purer than the finest gold, we laid them to rest in the appointed place. And meeting in this place in exultation and joy whenever we can, the Lord will allow us to celebrate the anniversary of his martyrdom, remembering all who have faced the same struggle and asking for strength for those who will face it in the future" ( Martyrium Polycarpi XVII,3; XVIII 2-3; P.G.V. V, 1042,1044).
The faithful in Rome, however, were not less enthusiastic than their brethren of Smyrna in their devotion to the Holy Martyrs. The Christians of the early centuries were sure that whoever honours the Martyrs in this world will have them as advocates in heaven.
With the same sentiments of our brethren of Smyrna,we want to pray near the tombs of the glorious Martyrs of St.Callixtus and celebrate in joy their dies natalis, i.e. their birthday in Heaven.Thanks to their intercession our faith will become stronger in facing the trials of life with serenity.

THE LITANIES

We thank You, God Father Almighty, for giving us Brothers and Sisters, who witnessed their love for You by a holy life, and many of them to the shedding of their blood. May their example lighten and sustain our journey till the day in which we will arrive at the heavenly Jerusalem, through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Lord, have mercy ...... Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy .....Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy .....Lord, have mercy

Holy Mother of God and Queen of Martyrs . . . . . Pray for us
St. Joseph, husband of the Holy Mother of God and guardian of Jesus
Saints Peter and Paul, martyrs of Christ and pillars and foundation of the Church of Rome

MARTYRED POPES

St. Callixtus, Pope and Martyr, custodian of the Christian brethren here buried
St. Pontian, Pope and Martyr, condemned to the mines
St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, organiser of the Church of Rome
St. Cornelius, Pope and Martyr "a model of humility, patience and goodness"
St. Sixtus II, Pope and Martyr, killed for Christ in the area of these catacombs
St. Eusebius, Pope and Martyr, merciful towards the lapsi (2) in need of pardon

MARTYRED DEACONS

SS. Deacons: Gennarius, Magnus,Vincent,Stephen, Felicissimus and
Agapitus, fellow martyrs of Pope Sixtus II

MARTYRED FAITHFUL

St. Tarcisius, youth with great ideals and brave defender of the Faith
St. Cecilia, courageous maid who offered your virginity to Christ
St. Soter, Roman matron, killed for your faithfulness to the Gospel
St. Polycamus, glory and ornament of the holy Church
SS. Calocerus and Parthenius, faithful to Christ even to the point of giving your lives for Him
SS. Mark and Marcellianus, true-brothers in life and inseparable in martyrdom
SS. Cerealis and Sallustia with your 21 Companions, defenders of the Faith against the Novatian heresy (3) pray for us
SS. Greek Martyrs, Maria, Neon, Hyppolitus, Adra, Pauline, Martha, Valeria,
Eusebius and Marcellus,
gift of the Oriental Church to the Catacombs of St. Callixtus
All Men and Women Martyrs and Saints, buried in the Catacombs of St.Callixtus

POPES DECLARED SAINTS

St. Zephyrinus, Pope, who wanted this cemetery for the Church of Rome
St. Antherus, Pope, who lived his short pontificate in prison
St. Lucius I, Pope, forced into exile because he was Vicar of Christ
St. Stephen I, Pope, guardian of the purity of Faith
St. Dionysius, Pope, loving father of his brethren in difficulty
St. Felix I, Pope, zealous in the work of evangelization
St. Eutychian, Pope, apostle of orthodoxy
St. Gaius, Pope, friend of the poor
St. Miltiades, Pope, defender of the faith against the Donatist heresy (4)
St. Mark, Pope, pastor of the Church of Rome and promoter of its liturgical calendar
St. Damasus I, Pope, "pious promoter of the cult of Martyrs"

BISHOPS-SAINTS

SS. Bishops Optatus and Numidian, evangelizers of the African countries
SS. Bishops, who carried on the mission of the Apostles
Oh all you, Holy Bishops, buried in the Catacombs of St. Callixtus

FAITHFUL-SAINTS

Holy Priests, who lived and died "during the long peace"
Young Men and Children, who preferred to keep your virginal purity
You too, Sinners, converted to the goodness of the Father, washed in Christ's blood
and sanctified by the Holy Spirit
All you, Holy Souls, whose bodies are resting in the cemetery of St. Callixtus
Men and Women Saints, pilgrims to the Catacombs of St. Callixtus
SS. Brigid and Catherine of Siena
SS. Charles Borromeo and Philip Neri
SS. John Bosco and Blessed Michael Rua
SS. Theresa of the Child Jesus and Mary Mazzarello
All You Saints, pilgrims to the Catacombs of St. Callixtus
and admirers of the faith of the early Christians

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world ......... Spare us, o Lord
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world .......... Graciously hear us, o Lord
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world .......... Have mercy on us

LET US PRAY

O God, our Father, who have made fruitful with the blood of Martyrs and blessed by their presence the ground of the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, by the bright example of so many courageous Witnesses, keep us strong in our faith, that we may pick up and foretaste with joy the fruit of their sacrifice. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. (5)

(1) Cf. The Roman Missal, Preface of Martyrs.
(2) The lapsi (fallen away) were the Christians, who for fear of the persecutions had disowned their faith.
(3) The Novatians, heretical sect, so-called after their leader, the antipope Novatian (251-258). They refused forgiveness to the Christians who, during the persecutions , had renounced their faith.
(4) Donatists: heretical sect so-called after their main exponent, Donatus. They denied the validity of the Sacraments administered by heretics or morally unworthy persons ( in mortal sin).
(5) From: A. Baruffa. LITANIE DEI MARTIRI E DEI SANTI DELLE CATACOMBE DI SAN CALLISTO.
Collegium Cultorum Martyrum, Roma,1990. By courtesy of the Author.

Thanks for the amazing post.

We don't always know the effect we have in life. St. Stephen died a martyr and never knew in life, that one of those reponsible would become a great Evangelist. St. Paul became a Christian after taking part in St. Stephen's death.

Dear Lady in Blue,
For me this is your most awesome post yet . Thank you for the clear history of the early martyrs, but most especially thank you for St. Callixtus' Litany of the Saints. This is deeply moving and it "nerves my arm" to stay in and fight for the Church by prayer, fasting, and the testimony of my lips.

Thank you for flagging me. =)

1530, George Steinmetz, facing death, wrote, "And according to my experience, I must state the truth, that the cross appears much heavier than it really is; which deters many a one, as though he should not be able to bear it, and hence would pass by, and seek another way. But we cannot not come to God unless we bear the yoke of Christ." Martyrs Mirror

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“My dear brother, why do you grieve for me; rather take comfort in it, for the Lord has obviously ordered it so. He loves us, and means to bring us into rest. I feel it is all of the Lord, for when I for a time hear of no deliverance, I receive great joy in the heart and refreshing from the Lord; but as soon as something (a word of deliverance) comes again, and the flesh lusts greatly after it, joy departs, and we have great difficulty to get it back from the Lord.

Therefore I hope that you will resign yourselves better herein, for the Lord intends to deliver us from this body of death, and to help us out of this anxiety. The Lord be praised forever for the love He shows me, and that He so helps me.” Martyrs Mirror, page 708

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“... and thus they left me, I thinking that they were going for the executioner. While lying there alone I was troubled by various thoughts; moreover Satan greatly tormented me with wife and children, sustenance, and many other temptations, on account of which I heartily wept, calling to God for help, and began to measure my life and conversation with the word of God, from the beginning of my Christian life up to this present day, and found no cause just enough to cease from all the severe labor which I had done. Though I have often transgressed the commandment of God, yet it was not done wantonly and I found grace with God.” Martyrs Mirror, page 849

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“Therefore, my dear and beloved, I pray you for Christ’s sake, to walk in the fear of the Lord,... for when the Lord visits us, everyone would like to be found glorious and spotless, and blameless in weakness. For when one gets into bonds, it is such a blessed thing to have peace in one’s conscience”. Martyrs Mirror, p 760

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"I have been in countries where the saints are already suffering terrible persecution. In China the Christians were told, 'Don't worry, before the tribulation comes, you will be raptured." Then came a terrible persecution (from the communists). Later I heard a bishop from China say, sadly, "We have failed. We should have made the people strong for persecution rather than telling them Jesus would come first.'" Corrie ten Boom

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(The following was written by the author of Martyrs Mirror at a time when the inquisition was winding down, and when Christians were beginning to experience periods of peace. (1660))

These are sad times, in which we live; truly, there is more danger now than in the time of our fathers, who suffered death for the testimony of the Lord. Few believe this, because the great majority look to that which is external and corporeal, and in this respect it is now better, quieter and more comfortable; few only look to that which is internal and pertains to the soul. And on which everything depends, "for what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matt 16:26

These times are certainly more dangerous; for then Satan came openly, through his servants even at noon-day, as a roaring lion, so that he could be known, and it now and then was possible to hide from him; besides, his chief design then was to destroy the body; but now he comes as in the night, or in the twilight, in a strange but yet pleasing form, and in a two-fold way, lies in wait to destroy the soul; partly, to trample under foot, and annihilate entirely, if this were possible, the only saving Christian faith; partly to destroy the true separated Christian life which is the outgrowth of faith. Ps 91:5,6. Martyrs Mirror, page 8.

You're welcome! You're right,St.Stephen had no idea of what his witnessing to Christ would have on the future great St.Paul!

Thank you Siobhan for your kind words.I think the history of the Church is just awesome and everytime I get depressed about what's going on now,it helps to remember what all the martyrs had to endure and I'm sure that they're up there in Heaven now,along with Sts.Peter and Paul and the other apostles praying for the Holy Father and the Church.And we have Our Lord's assurances: "Thou art Peter,and upon this rock,I will build my Church and THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT!"

I liked this one:

"I have been in countries where the saints are already suffering terrible persecution. In China the Christians were told, 'Don't worry, before the tribulation comes, you will be raptured." Then came a terrible persecution (from the communists). Later I heard a bishop from China say, sadly, "We have failed. We should have made the people strong for persecution rather than telling them Jesus would come first.'"

I doubt that any Christians(incl me)could have gone through what the Catholic-Christian martyrs went through the first centuries without the Lord's grace!Did you read the links?

I doubt that any Christians(incl me)could have gone through what the Catholic-Christian martyrs went through the first centuries without the Lord's grace!Did you read the links?

There were no Catholic-Christian martyrs in the first centuries, only Christian martyrs.

That's not true.There were no other Christians besides the Catholic Church.There wasn't a Baptist,Presbyterian,Angligan, Evangelical among them.Our Church can trace it's history all the way back to Jesus Christ.Jesus said to St.Peter(the first Pope):"Thou art Peter,and upon this rock,I will build my Church"(not churches).

If you had bothered to read the above links to the ten persecutions you would have seen that Eusebius refers to the Church in one place as the "Catholic"Church.

bookmarked, thanks.

BTTT for later reading.

And thanks for helping me out with posting the Daily Readings. See you next week. I am flying American Airlines on the 3rd and the 7th. Please pray for me on those days.
Salvation

First Martyrs of the Church of Rome

THE LITANIES OF THE MARTYRS AND SAINTS OF THE CATACOMBS OF ST. CALLIXTUS

INTRODUCTION

THE CULT OF MARTYRS

THE LITANIES

THE LITANIES OF THE MARTYRS AND SAINTS
OF THE CATACOMBS OF ST. CALLIXTUS