St. Peter the Jeromartyr-17 th Pope Martyrdom in Christianity Monasticism (Sts. Antonius & Pula) Church History-3d. Century 1

St. Peter the Seal of Martyrs 17 th Pope of Alexandria 2

Short Biography: + The only son of two Christian parents (Theodosios and Sofia) from Alexandria + He was elected to be the 17 th Pope in 285 AD + Maximian ordered the arrest of St. Peter in 311 AD + The revolt of the Christians + St. Peter beheaded in Policalia (where St. Mark..) + The Christians took his body to St. Mark’s Church 3

St. Peter the Seal of Martyrs 17 th Pope of Alexandria God’s purpose in St. Peter’s Life: + His mother’s prayers (Sts Peter& Paul appeared in dream) +At age 7, was taken to Pope Theona to be his son + Story of Socrat & Sarah of Antioch, she baptized her 2 sons on way to Alexandria + St. Peter’s prayer; he wanted to sacrifice himself to spare his people 4

St. Peter the Seal of Martyrs 17 th Pope of Alexandria Achievements during St. Peter’s Life: + Lived during the Arian heresy period; did his best to defend the true faith (vision and its convey to Achelaos and Alexandros who succeeded him) + During 4 th year of Diocletian’s persecution, St. Peter passed special rules dealing with repentant apostates. One of those rules dealt with the one Baptism 5

St. Peter the Seal of Martyrs 17 th Pope of Alexandria Main Events during the third century: + Beginning of the most terrible persecutions of Christians; ordered by Diocletian; lasted for 10 years; 800,000 Copts martyred + Diocletian intended to continue his persecution until Christians' blood flows to his horse’s knees + Coptic Church started AM calendar considering Diocletian’s reign as its beginning (284 AD) + End of Christian persecution; Constantine issued Milan’s decree in 313 AD for religious tolerance 6

Martyrdom in Christianity + Motives for martyrdom + Persecution history + Evaluating martyrdom 7

Motives of Martyrdom World is limited as compared to eternity; 2Cor 4:17, 1John 2:17 World is limited as compared to eternity; 2Cor 4:17, 1John 2:17 “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” 2Cor 4:17 “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” 2Cor 4:17 “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 1 Jn. 2:17 “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 1 Jn. 2:17 8

Motives of Martyrdom “Cont’d” Christians are strangers to this world; 1Peter 1:17, Hebrews 11:13, 2Cor 5:6-8 Christians are strangers to this world; 1Peter 1:17, Hebrews 11:13, 2Cor 5:6-8 “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” Hebrews 11:13 “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” Hebrews 11:13 9

Motives of Martyrdom “Cont’d” In life there will be tribulations; John 16:33, Rev 21:4 In life there will be tribulations; John 16:33, Rev 21:4 “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” John 16:33 “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” John 16:33 10

Motives of Martyrdom “Cont’d” Death will lead to glory; John 12:24-25, Romans 8:17-18, 2Tim 2:11 Death will lead to glory; John 12:24-25, Romans 8:17-18, 2Tim 2:11 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” Romans 8:18 11

Persecution History 1 st Martyr in Christianity is St. Stephen; Acts 8:1-3 then Christ’s followers and disciples; Acts 9:1. 1 st Martyr in Christianity is St. Stephen; Acts 8:1-3 then Christ’s followers and disciples; Acts 9:1. Martyrdom continued through the 10 Roman emperors from Nero to Diocletian Martyrdom continued through the 10 Roman emperors from Nero to Diocletian They were martyred for the sake of faith, purity and dogma They were martyred for the sake of faith, purity and dogma 12

Evaluating Martyrdom + Desire + Evangelizing + Courage 13

Evaluating Martyrdom “Desire” + They offered themselves to die for Christ refusing chances to escape. +“And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance” Hebrews 11:35 14

Evaluating Martyrdom “Cont’d” “Evangelizing” + Martyrs endurance for torturing attracted many to the Christian faith +The blood of martyrs is the seed of the church; “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain” John12:24 15

Evaluating Martyrdom “Cont’d” “Courage” + No fear in Christ +“stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire…” Hebrews 11: Those who were tortured were more courageous than those who tortured them – Cyprian the Bishop 16

Church History-3d. Century Famous Martyrs of 3d Century: Martyrdom Synexarium + St. George the Roman 307 AD 23 Bermuda/May1 + St. Theodor of Shotep 220 AD 20 Apip/Aug 26 + St. Theodor El-Meshriki306 AD 12 Tuba/ Jan 21 + St. Philopateer Mercurius 250 AD 25 Hatur/ Dec 4 + St. DemianaEnd of 3d/Begin of 4 th 13 Tobi/Jan22 + St. Mari Mina 15 Hatur/Nov24 + St. Boctor (Victor) ebn-Romanos 27 Barmoda/May5 + St. Claudius (friend of Boctor) 11 Paona/ Jan 18 + St. Abaskhirun of Qalin 7 Paona/ June 14 + St. Justus, son of Emperor Numarius 10 Amshir/Feb 17 + St. Theoklia, wife of Justus 11 Bashans/May 19 + St. Bachus (friend of Sergius) 4 Baba/ Oct 14 + St. Sergius10 Baba/ Oct 20 + St. Cosma, Demianus, thier brothers and mother22 Hatur/Dec 1 17

St. Philopateer & St. George 18