Persecution of Christians Ancient and Modern

Ancient… Persecution may begin as ridicule…

Nero AD 64, Nero - first official persecution of Christians by Rome Scapegoats because of a fire that destroyed parts of Rome? Thrown to lions, burnt alive to provide lights in his public gardens, made to fight gladiatorial combat…

Secret Places and Signs… In Rome it became common for Christians to meet in the burial places – the catacombs Romans weren’t so keen on following them The secret sign of the fish – ICHTHUS - was used by Christians It’s a Greek acrostic for ‘Jesus Christ Son of God Saviour’

Writings…

Perpetua & Felicity (early 3rd C) Refusing to give up their Christianity, they and three companions were led into the amphitheatre. The mob wanted blood; the five were whipped; then were set upon by wild animals Wounded by the wild animals, they were then finished off by the sword Both Perpetua and Felicity were young mothers Renaissance representation of the martyrdom of St Felicity

Further outbreaks Persecution of Christians continued on and off for next 240 years The Emperor Diocletian began the last fierce assault on Christianity in 303 AD

Modern?… Fr Jerzy Popiełuszko During the period of martial law in Communist Poland Fr Jerzy Popiełuszko was associated with workers and trade unionists from the Solidarity movement The priest was beaten and murdered by three Security Police officers. Then, his body was dumped It was recovered on October 30, 1984.

Modern?… Bishop Romero As an archbishop, he witnessed numerous violations of human rights in El Salvador, Central America He began a ministry speaking out on behalf of the poor and victims of the country's civil war. The government of El Salvador denounced him. In 1980, he was assassinated by gunshot while consecrating the Eucharist during mass.

Jean Donovan & Companions El Salvador had been ruled by the military, which protected the wealthy landowners In the 1980s, the country was in the midst of civil war. As people demanded their rights, the military responded brutally… The Church began to speak up for the poor The missionary women, who transported refugees and distributed food and medicine to the poor They were all found in a shallow grave…

Persecution? Nations…