Quote of the Day: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed [of the Church].” --Tertullian of Carthage Rembrandt. The Martyrdom of St. Stephen

Theology of Martyrdom 1. Persecution under Trajan in 112 AD. 2. Martyrs of Vienne and Lyons (177 AD). 3. Martyrdom and Christian self-definition. 4. Martyr-Acts and Hagiographic Pattern- Making. 5. Imitatio Christi. 6. Participation in the Suffering of Christ. St. Sebastian

Persecution under the Emperor Trajan Emperor Trajan Pliny the Younger Governor of Bythinia Time: 112AD Place: Bythinia, Asia Minor Occasion: Pliny toured his province and discovered a group that looked like a secret society

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Persecution under the Emperor Trajan Emperor Trajan Pliny the Younger Governor of Bythinia Time: 112AD Place: Bythinia, Asia Minor Occasion: Pliny toured his province and discovered a group that looked like a secret society

Testimony about Christian practices Christians meet on Sunday Christians meet on Sunday Sing a hymn to Christ ‘as to a god’ Sing a hymn to Christ ‘as to a god’ Promise to each other to live good lives Promise to each other to live good lives Eat together Eat together Pliny’s conclusion: ‘depraved, excessive superstition’ Pliny’s conclusion: ‘depraved, excessive superstition’ Banquet Scene. Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome. 3 rd c.

What problems do Christians cause? Temples deserted Temples deserted Nobody buys sacrificial animals Nobody buys sacrificial animals Christians disrupt local economy Christians disrupt local economy The remains of the temple dedicated to Trajan in Pergamum.

Trajan’s reply to Pliny Do not seek Christians out Do not seek Christians out Do not consider anonymous accusations Do not consider anonymous accusations Give Christians a chance to sacrifice Give Christians a chance to sacrifice Punish only those who refuse to sacrifice Punish only those who refuse to sacrifice

Map 2 nd c. Martyrs of Vienne and Lyons, 177 AD

Ignatius of Antioch Polycarp Irenaeus of Lyons Marcion; Justin 105?-165? Valentinus 130?-180? Ptolemy Clement of Alexandria ? Hippolytus Tertullian Origen 112 p. Trajan p. Decius 177 m. Vienne & Lyons 203 m. Perpetua

Martyrdom of St. Polycarp of Smyrna ( AD) Proconsul: “Swear by the fortune of Caesar. Say: ‘Away with the atheists.’ Curse Christ.” Proconsul: “Swear by the fortune of Caesar. Say: ‘Away with the atheists.’ Curse Christ.” Polycarp: “How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?.. Polycarp: “How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?.. I am a Christian.

Imitatio Christi “ Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” 1 Cor. 11: 1. “ Allow me to be the imitator of the sufferings of my God.” --Ignatius of Antioch, Romans Crucifixion of St Peter. Filippino Lippi, Brancacci chapel, Florence, 15 th c

Pattern-making within the NT Luke 23: 34, 46 Acts 7: The Last Words of Jesus The Last Words of Stephen the Protomartyr Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (v. 34, some MSS lack) […] Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” (v. 46). Then [Stephen] knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (v. 60) While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (v. 59).

Hagiographic Pattern-Making OT prophecy => Life of Jesus OT prophecy => Life of Jesus Passion Narrative => Martyrdom of Polycarp Passion Narrative => Martyrdom of Polycarp Life of Constantine => Conversion of barbarian kings Life of Constantine => Conversion of barbarian kings Life of Antony => Medieval monastic lives Life of Antony => Medieval monastic lives Life of St. Martin => Stories about military saints Life of St. Martin => Stories about military saints

Participation in the Suffering of Christ D[omi]ne, quo vadis? Quo Vadis story in the Passion of Peter and Paul. 11th c. ms.

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. --Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History.

“HERE ARE THE MARTYRS SATURUS, SATURNINUS, REVOCATUS, SECUNDULUS, FELICITAS, PERPETUA, WHO SUFFERED ON THE NONES (7TH) OF MARCH” Inscription over the Tomb of SS. Perpetua and Felicitas. Basilica Majorum, Carthage.

St. Perpetua & St. Felicitas Basilica of Euphrasius, Porec, Croatia. 6th c. A. D.

Church of St Felicita, Florence.

Does this ladder look familiar?

Visions of the afterlife Perpetua’s Ladder (4) Perpetua’s Ladder (4) Perpetua’s brother (7-8) Perpetua’s brother (7-8) Saturus’ vision (11-13) Saturus’ vision (11-13) Perpetua the Gladiator (10) Perpetua the Gladiator (10)

Patronage of the Martyrs: Martyr Petronilla (right) introduces Veneranda (left) to paradise. Arcosolium of Petronilla and Veneranda, Catacomb of Domitilla. Rome. After 356. scrolls codex

Modern Christian Martyrs Martin Luther King Oscar Romero Elizabeth of Russia Dietrich Bonhoeffer Wang Zhiming Lucian Tapiedi Janani Luwum Esther John Manche Masemola Maximilian Kolbe