The First Church Martyrs
Died for Christ and UsThey died horrific deaths. Some torn to pieces by wild beasts, others were coated with wax and lit on fire as torches in the emperor’s gardens while he entertained guests, and still others were crucified like our Lord. These evil acts were the thrill of the anti-Christian Neronian empire and continued for through the first three centuries. However, no man or kingdom could extinguish the love of Christ.
We don’t know their names, but their example has kept our Church alive.
On June 30th the Church honors the nameless first Martyrs of Christianity in the city of Rome. Saints Peter and Paul, who were celebrated at Masses yesterday, were among those courageous and intentional Christians.
It wasn’t until the 313 AD, when Emperor Constantine the Great legalized Christianity (with the Edict of Milan).
Make time to reflect and praise God for these unnamed heroes of our faith
Praise be to God, we live in a country where many of our sacrifices are personal and known only to us and God. Let your sacrifices and fulfillment of holy accountability unite you with the souls we honor today.
Editor’s note: The art “Christian Martyrs” depicts an emotional scene of the bodies of the Church’s first martyrs who died in agony – thrown to wild beasts in a coliseum. The painting is by Catholic artist Gustave Dore of France, circa 1871 and features a sign of hope and divine intervention, angels descending from Heaven.
