of the faith, at Alexandria, in Egypt, where he taught with such
excellence, not only to begin with Christ, but also to die with him,
that many of his disciples laid down their lives for the truth of
Christ. Among these are mentioned by name, Plutarch, Heraclides, Hero,
and two other men, both called Serenus. Their suffering and death
happened in this manner: Origen, the teacher of these pious people, was
in the habit of going into the prison to the martyrs who suffered for
the name of Jesus Christ, to strengthen them in the faith. Yea, even
when they had already received their sentence of death, and were making
their last defense, he stood by them, and, at parting, gave them the
kiss of peace, as a token of his sincere love.
When Plutarch, his beloved disciple, was led forth to death, he,
according to his custom, comforted him, for which the raging multitude
would have killed him, had not divine Providence protected him. This
having happened, Plutarch was put to death for the name of Jesus
Christ, and died as a martyr.
After the death of Plutarch, the first of the two men named Serenus,
was brought forth and burned. His faith, as is stated, was tried with
fire, notwithstanding he was still a catechumen, that is, one who,
though he had been instructed, had not yet received baptism.
The third of these martyrs is called Heraclides, and of him the same is
stated that is recorded of Serenus, concerning his faith, namely, that
he too was still under instruction, and had not yet been baptized, but
was preparing for it. And thus he sealed his faith not with water, but
with his blood. He was beheaded with the ax.
The fourth that was put to death for the same faith, was Hero, who is
called a novice in the faith, that is one who had only lately accepted
the faith with baptism. Having commended his soul into the hands of
God, he was likewise beheaded with the ax.
Besides these four martyrs, there is mentioned a fifth, who was the
second of the aforementioned men named Serenus. Refusing to apostatize,
he, after many severe torments, was beheaded, like the lastmentioned
two; and thus attained to a blessed end, together with his slain
fellow-brethren. Compare _Euseb., lib. 6, cap. 4_, with _Abr. Mell.,
1st book, fol. 57, col. 2, 3_. Also, _Joh. Gys. Hist., fol. 18, col.
3_, after Leonides, the father of Origen. Also, _Introduction, fol. 39,
col. 1, from Eusebius_.
TWO FEMALE DISCIPLES OF ORIGEN, NAMELY, RHAIS AND MARCELLA, BURNED
ALIVE AT ALEXANDRIA, FOR THE FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, ABOUT THE YEAR 204.
Among the disciples of Origen, who became martyrs, there are also
mentioned several women as faithful martyrs. However, we shall only
refer to two of these, one called Rhais, the other Marcella, who
suffered their faith and lives to be tried with fire, like gold that is
refined.
Rhais was a catechumen, that is, one that was receiving instruction
preparatory to baptism, and hence, had not yet sealed her faith with
water; however, as Origen himself declares, she was baptized with fire,
that is, burned alive.
Marcella was the mother of Potamiena (of whom the ancients speak in
such commendatory terms, as having also laid down her life for the
faith; but whom we pass over, on account of certain remarks which
she addressed to Basilides, her executioner.) After insufferable and
dreadful torments, she was burned by degrees, in great constancy,
until she was reduced to ashes; and thus she exchanged this temporal
for an eternal life. See the abovementioned authors, as compared with
_Mellinus, fol. 57, col. 4_.
BASILIDES, WHO, FROM AN EXECUTIONER BECAME A CHRISTIAN, BEHEADED FOR
THE NAME OF CHRIST, AT ALEXANDRIA, ABOUT THE YEAR 204.
Not long after the death of Potamiena, who had died with the
abovementioned Rhais and Marcella, one of the executioners, named
Basilides, who had brought her to death, was converted to the faith
in Christ. Eusebius writes: “Being among his companions, and an oath
being demanded of him on some special matter, he said, that he dared
not swear at all, because he was a Christian, and did openly confess
it before them. When they heard this, they thought at first, that he
was joking; but when he persistently asserted it, and showed that he
was in earnest, he was seized and cast into prison. When some of the
brethren came to visit him, and inquired how it happened that he had
become changed so suddenly, he fully satisfied them in regard to the
matter. Having heard this, they gave him the sign of the Lord, that is
(as A. Mellinus explains it), he was baptized in the name of Christ.
The following day he was beheaded for the confession of the Lord.
Compare the preceding accounts concerning the disciples of Origen, with
_Eusebius, lib. 6, cap. 5, fol. 107, col. 1, 2_. Also, _A. Mellinus,
1st book, fol. 58, col. 1, 2_. Also, _P. J. Twisck, Chron., 3d book,
for the year 204, fol. 55, col. 2_, above. Also, _Introduction M. Sp.,
fol. 39, col. 1_.
IRENEUS, AN ANCIENT TEACHER, AFTER MANY TORMENTS, PUT TO DEATH FOR THE
NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AT LYONS, IN FRANCE, ABOUT THE YEAR 210.
Ireneus, by descent an Asiatic, was born at Smyrna. In his youth he
attended school, and was a disciple of Polycarp, who was appointed by
the apostle John bishop of the church at Smyrna, and afterwards became
a martyr, as we have already shown in the proper place. On account of
his (Ireneus’) special fitness, he subsequently became bishop of the
church at Lyons in France, in the place of Photinus. His erudition
was so great, that Eusebius extols him more than any of the learned
who lived before and in his time. Tertullian called him “the most
remarkable investigator of all manner of learning.” Jerome said that
he was “an apostolic man, who lived next to the time of the apostles.”
Epiphanius gave him the title of a “holy and ancient divine,” yea,
a “successor of the apostles.” In his ministry he was so faithful a
servant in the house of the Lord, that he had the oversight not only of
the church at Lyons, where he was bishop, and other churches in France,
but even of some churches in Asia and Phrygia.
Concerning his death, the ancient historians have left us but little
information of the time as well as of the manner of his martyrdom. We
find, however, in regard to it the following words: “That, when the
persecution of the Christians, under Severus, had been instituted in
all the countries of the Romans, the city of Lyons, too, pursuant to
the command of the Emperor, was surrounded with soldiers, and all the
Christians in it put to death with the sword, or beheaded; but that
Ireneus, the shepherd of them all, was sought with special diligence,
and, when found, was put to death with manifold tortures, and was
buried by Zacharia, his elder.” _Ex actis Procons. Perditis hoc Tantum
extat. Adr. Martyrol. 28 Jun. Abr. Mell., fol. 59, col. 3, and fol.
60, col. 1, ex Hieron. Catal. Iren. idem Hieron. epist. 84 ad Magnum,
and 29 ad Theodorum Euseb., lib. 4, cap. 20. Tertull. lib. Contra
Valentin., cap. 5. Hieron. epist. 29. ad Theodorum and in Catal. Epiph.
Haer. 24 and 31._ Also, _Joh. Gys., 1657, fol. 18, col. 3, 4_. Also,
_P. J. Twisck, 3d book, for the year 210, 28th June, p. 56, col. 1_.
He adds these words: “On the 28th of June, A. D. 210, in the fifth
persecution, Bishop Irenus (he means to say: _Ireneus_) was put to
death, together with many citizens, for the confession of Christ.”
He says of the Lord’s Supper: “There is something heavenly and
something earthly; the earthly is bread, which is for the nourishment
of the body, and points us to the heavenly, that is, Christ with his
merits, which is the food of the soul.”
In the Revelation of John he writes that “antichrist will rise in
the Latin, that is, the Roman church, and will be a Roman.” Also:
“Antichrist, who is a thief and apostate, would be worshiped as God,
and, though being but a servant, would be proclaimed king.” From
_Histor. Georg., lib. 2. Vinc. Cal., fol. 352. P. P. Cock, fol. 59_.
HOW SEPTIMIUS FLORENS TERTULLIAN, THROUGH A CERTAIN APOLOGY, DEFENDED
THE CHRISTIANS, AND SOUGHT TO HAVE THEM SPARED, ABOUT THE YEAR 204.
When the persecution of the true Christians would not cease, but
increased the longer the more, the pious man Septimius Florens
Tertullian wrote an apology in defense of the Christians against
the heathen, in which he refuted all the slanders with which they
were assailed at that time; showing that they were innocent, and
were persecuted--not on account of any evil deeds, as the heathen
pretended, but simply on account of their name; and that nevertheless
their religion was not weakened or injured by the bitterness of the
persecution, but much rather helped and strengthened by it.
Among other things he writes: “We are increased, and grow, when we are
mowed down by you. The blood of the Christians is the seed (of the
church). For who is there among you who, seeing these things, is not
constrained to examine what there may be inside of this matter? Who,
having examined it, does not join them, and, having joined himself to
them, does not wish to suffer with them?”
After this he said these words, or at least words to this import:
“This sect (so he calls the Christians, according to the view of the
heathen) will never perish or be extirpated; which, rest assured,
when it seems to be cut down is built up. For every one, seeing their
great patience, when they are beaten and goaded, is incited to inquire
into the cause of this; and when he has come to the knowledge of the
truth, he instantly follows.” Compare _Joh. Gys., fol. 18, col. 4, ex
Tertulliano, ad Scapulam_. Also, _P. J. Twisck, 2d book, for the year
200, page 53, col. 1, from Chronol. Leonh., lib. 1_.
CESSATION OF THIS PERSECUTION, UNDER ANTONINUS CARACALLA AND SEPTIMUS
GETA, THE SONS OF SEVERUS, ABOUT THE YEAR 213.
Septimus Severus having reigned eighteen years as Roman Emperor,
his sons, Antoninus Caracalla and Septimus Geta, succeeded him as
Emperors, about A. D. 213. These, although they were very unmerciful,
cruel, and bloodthirsty, especially Caracalla, did not, to any extent,
molest the Christians, so that during their reign very little, indeed,
almost no blood of the Christians was shed in the countries over
which their dominion extended; which continued until about the year
219. Some write that the cessation of the persecution continued for
about thirty-eight years, during which time, however, Maximin the
Giant greatly vexed many bishops, elders, and deacons, (that is, the
overseers over some churches); but whether they were punished with
death, will be shown in the proper place. However, it is stated,
that this fifth persecution, which had just commenced, did not cease
entirely, though it was a desirable time, as Tertullian writes, when
compared with the preceding severe and very bloody persecutions. See
_A. Mell, 1st book, fol. 60, col. 1_, as compared with _Herod. Sever.
Ejusd. Antonin., and Geta Spartian de Eisdem_.
REINSTITUTION OF THIS PERSECUTION, UNDER ALEXANDER SEVERUS, THE SON OF
ANTONINUS AND MAMMEA, ABOUT THE YEAR 223.
The followers of Jesus Christ having enjoyed some respite during this
time and a few years previous, the envy and hatred of some against the
Christians increased to such an extent that even Alexander Severus, who
otherwise favored the Christians, yea, had built them a church, and,
according to the manner of the heathen, had placed Christ among the
number of the so-called gods, commenced a persecution against them,
or at least continued the one begun under Septimus Severus. This was
occasioned principally, as Lactantius Firmianus states, by some of
the Roman jurists, who, through wrong interpretation of the laws, but
especially through a deadly hatred against the Christians, incited and
urged on the Emperor to persecute them.
Among those who instigated the Emperor, there is chiefly mentioned
Ulpianus, who was not only a senator, but also a master of requests,
and the Emperor’s tutor, so that the latter considered him as his
Father; hence the accusations of Ulpianus against the Christians found
the more easily a willing ear with the Emperor. Lactantius Firmianus
calls this Ulpianus and his adherents murderers, because they made
wicked laws against the godly. He says: “For we read of blasphemous
laws and unjust disputes of the jurists against the Christians.”
Domitius, surnamed Ulpianus (mentioned above), in his seventh book of
the office of the Governors of the Roman provinces, hunted out and
collected the edicts and decrees of the princes, as of Nero, Domitian,
Trajan, etc., in order to send therefrom instructions, how they should
punish the Christians who served and confessed the true God. Thus far,
_Lactantius, according to the annotation of Mellinus, in the 1st book,
fol. 61, col. 1, 2, ex Lamprid_. _Herodian, in Alex. Severo. Lactant.
Firmian. Institute lib. 5, cap. 11, 12, 19._ Also, _in Corras., lib.
1, Missel., cap. 10_, although D. P. Pers calls this Emperor a pious
and excellent prince. _Roomschen Adelaer_, printed 1642, _page 154, on
the name Severus Alexander_, A. D. 224. On the other hand P. J. Twisck
states, that in the beginning of his reign he was not favorable to the
Christians, so that, through misinformation, he caused some of them to
be put to death for the name of Jesus Christ. _Third book, for the year
223, page 60, col. 1, from Chron. Mich., fol. 141, Merula._
AGAPITUS, CALAPODIUS, TIBURTIUS, VALERIANUS, QUIRITIUS, JULIA, CECILIA,
MARTINA, AND OTHERS, PUT TO DEATH FOR THE NAME OF CHRIST, ABOUT THE
YEAR 223.
It is stated that in the last persecution resumed under Alexandrinus
Severus there were put to death among different other persons, for
the name of Jesus Christ and the testimony of the evangelical truth,
Agapitus, a youth of fifteen years; Calapodius, an elder (of whom P.
J. Twisck writes, though two years earlier than J. Gysius, that he
was apprehended for the doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and,
refusing to sacrifice to the heathen gods, was dragged with great
ignominy through the city of Rome, and drowned in the Tiber. _3d book,
page 59, col. 2, from Bergomens, lib. 8._); Tiburtius and Valerianus,
two brothers were likewise put to death, as well as Quiritius and his
mother Julia, and Cecilia and Martina, both of them virgins; all of
whom were put to death for the name of Jesus Christ, either in the
water, or in the fire, or by the sword, or in some other manner. See,
_Joh. Gys., fol. 19, col. 1_.
HENRICUS, NARCISSUS, JULIUS, EUSEBIUS, AND OTHERS, PUT TO DEATH FOR THE
FAITH, DURING THIS PERSECUTION.
Besides those whom we have mentioned as having been slain in the
fifth persecution, Seb. Franck names several very virtuous believers
who suffered and were deprived of life for the same cause, namely:
Henricus, bishop of the church at Lyons; Narcissus, a patriarch at
Jerusalem; Julius and Eusebius. _Sebast. Fra. Keysers Chron. en
Wereltlijke Hist. van Christi geboorte tot op Car. V._, printed 1563,
_fol. 20, col. 2_.
OF THE SIXTH PERSECUTION OF THE CHRISTIANS, COMMENCED UNDER MAXIMIN, A.
D. 237.
The sixth persecution of the Christians, writes J. Gysius, arose under
the Emperor Maximin, a naturally cruel man, and was directed against
persons of respectability (since he was of low origin), as well as
against the Christians, but especially against the ministers of the
word. Fortunately for the Christians, this persecution was brief,
since he reigned but two years; and as he was a violent enemy of the
ministers of the church, the persecution commenced on them, as the
teachers and authors, it was said, of the Christian religion; for it
was thought that if they were removed, the common people could easily
be drawn away from it. Then, Origen, a teacher of the church, in order
to exhort the Christians to steadfastness, wrote a book on martyrdom,
dedicating it to Ambrose, overseer of the church at Milan, and
Proctotus, learned men of that time. _J. Gys., fol. 19, col. 1, 2, from
Euseb., lib. 6, cap. 20, Oros. lib. 7, cap. 19._
Touching the cause of these persecutions, the author of the
_Introduction_, etc., writes thus: The heathen had such a hatred for
the Christians at that time, that, whenever an earthquake, a storm,
or the like, occurred, they laid it to the charge of the Christians,
saying that their gods were offended, because their honor was waning
on account of the Christians; from which it is to be inferred that
they treated the Christians in an awful manner. _Fol. 39, col. 2, from
Baronius, in Chron., A. D. 237, num. 3, and A. D. 256, num. 5._
SEVERAL THOUSAND PERSONS BURNED IN THEIR MEETING-PLACES FOR THE
EVANGELICAL TRUTH, ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, BY THE COMMAND OF MAXIMIN,
ABOUT THE YEAR 237.
In the new _Keysers Chronijk_ there is related a cruel and iniquitous
deed perpetrated by Emperor Maximin on the Christians. The author says:
The Christians were assembled in their churches or meeting-places,
praising their Savior, when the Emperor sent forth his soldiers, and
had all the churches or meeting-places locked up, and then wood placed
around them and set on fire, in order to burn all the Christians
within. But before the wood was ignited, he caused it to be proclaimed,
that whoever would come out and sacrifice to the god Jupiter, should
be secure of his life, and, moreover, be rewarded by the Emperor. They
replied that they knew nothing of Jupiter; that Christ was their Lord
and God, by the honor of his name, and calling upon the same they would
live and die. It is to be regarded as a special miracle, that among so
many thousand Christians there was not found one who desired to go out,
in order to save his life by denying Christ; for all remained together
with one accord, singing, and praising Christ, as long as the smoke and
vapor permitted them to use their tongues. _P. J. Twisck, 3d book, page
64, col. 1, from Chron. Mich. Sach., fol. 146, Niceph., lib. 7, cap. 6.
Hist. Mandri, fol. 10._
ABOUT SIXTY NOTED, PIOUS MARTYRS PUT TO DEATH FOR THE NAME OF JESUS
CHRIST, ABOUT THE YEAR 239.
In the preceding number of several thousand martyrs who laid down
their lives under Maximin, in the sixth persecution, none of them are
mentioned by name, doubtless because in the estimation of the world
they were mostly lowly and obscure people; but Sebastian Franck relates
from some ancient writers that about sixty noted martyrs received
the crown of martyrdom under this tyrant; which would be too long to
recount. _Chron. des Keysers, fol. 21, col. 3._
ALEXANDER OF JERUSALEM, AFTER MANY TORMENTS, PUT TO DEATH FOR THE
TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, AT JERUSALEM, AND OTHERS AT DIFFERENT
PLACES, A. D. 247.
Alexander of Jerusalem, who was a bishop of the church of Christ in
that place, had to suffer much for the Christian truth. Eusebius
Pamphilius of Cesarea writes, that for confessing Christ he was brought
before the Judge, bound with chains, and cast into prison. And he also
writes, that when they had, time and again, drawn this venerable old
man from the prison to the tribunal, and from the tribunal back to his
chains, he continually, in his suffering and pain, thanked God, and
finally, through unspeakable torments, offered up his spirit. _Histor.
Eccles., lib. 6, cap. 29._
P. J. Twisck fixes this occurrence in the year 247, and adds these
words: “About this time there were many martyrs in Alexandria, Judea,
at Cesarea, Antioch, and elsewhere, who testified to the Christian
faith with their blood and death.” _Third book, page 66, col. 1, from
Euseb._ Also, _Hist. Adri., fol. 32, Jan. Cresp., fol. 48_.
NOTE.--Although it is stated that the aforementioned Alexander was put
to death after the seven years’ reign of Philippus, by the Emperor
Decius, A. D. 247, we have nevertheless included him in the sixth
persecution, since he, as it appears, was apprehended long before the
commencement of the seventh general persecution, which did not begin
until A. D. 251, and was in full force in 253.
OF THE SEVENTH PERSECUTION OF THE CHRISTIANS, UNDER DECIUS, BEGUN ABOUT
THE YEAR 251.
Sebastian Frank, P. J. Twisck, and Joh. Gysius place the beginning of
this persecution under Decius in A. D. 251, while Abraham Mellinus and
the author of the _Introduction to the Martyrs Mirror_ begin it with
the year 253; which difference can easily be reconciled in this manner:
namely, that the decrees against the Christians were sent out and
published about the year 251, but that they were not actually put in
force until about A. D. 253. Compare _Seb. Frank, etc., fol. 21, col.
3_, with _P. J. Twisck, 3d book, page 67, col. 2_. Also, _Joh. Gys.,
fol. 19, col. 2_. Also, _A. Mell., 1st book, fol. 65, col. 4_. Also,
_Introduction, fol. 40, col. 1_.
OF THE CRUELTY AND MISERY OF THIS PERSECUTION.
[Illustration: CHRISTIANS BURNED IN THEIR MEETING-HOUSES.]
P. J. Twisck, after narrating something in commendation of this
Emperor, begins immediately to give an account of the tyranny which he
employed against the Christians, saying: “He caused public mandates
and decrees to be issued and posted up, that if they would not
apostatize from Christ, to persecute the Christians everywhere, and to
execute them without mercy with every kind of torture that could be
devised. The torments with which the poor Christians were put to death
in that day were very severe, as we may read in Dionysius, Gregory,
Cyprian, Eusebius, Vincentius, and others. They were exiled, spoiled
of their goods, sentenced to the mines, scourged, beaten. Beheading
and hanging were thought far too insignificant, yea, no punishment at
all for them. Hot tar was most invariably poured over them, roasted
at a slow fire, stoned, pricked in the face, eyes, and the whole body
with sharp pointed instruments, dragged through the streets over hard
pebbles and rough stones, dashed against rocks, cast down from steep
places, their limbs broken in pieces, torn asunder with hooks, rolled
about on sharp potsherds, given as a prey and food to the wild beasts,
stakes driven through their loins, etc.
There was scarcely a place where persecution was not in vogue; Africa
and Alexandria especially could be called the school of the martyrs.
In short, Nicephorus says in his 5th book, chap. 29, that to count the
martyrs of this time would be as easy as to undertake to count the
sands of the sea shore. See, _P. J. Twisck, 3d book, for the year 251,
p. 67, col. 2_, and _page 68, col. 1_, from _Euseb., lib. 7, cap. 1.
Chron. Mich., fol. 154. Chron. Carionis, lib. 3. Seb. Fr., fol. 17.
Hist. Andræ, fol. 177, 2d part, fol. 174. Paul Merul., fol. 212–214.
Leonh. Krentz. Chronologiae, fol. 16, 17. Chron. Car., fol. 236. Jan
Crespin., fol. 53._
We shall begin with the persecution which at this time took place at
Alexandria against the pious and defenseless Christians; for which
reason this place was called by the ancients the “Scaffold of all
tyranny.”
METRAS, A GODFEARING OLD MAN, PIERCED WITH REEDS, AND STONED TO DEATH,
FOR THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AT ALEXANDRIA, A. D. 252.
Metras, also called Metranus, a godfearing old man, was now
apprehended by the riotous people at Alexandria, and commanded to
utter blasphemous words against God; that is, to blaspheme the name
of God, and to forsake the Savior, Jesus. But as he refused to do so,
they beat him on his whole body with sticks, pricked and pierced his
face and eyes with sharp reeds, and, martyred thus, led him out of the
city, and stoned him to death in the suburbs. _Euseb., lib. 6, cap. 41,
fol. 122, letter O, taken from the letter of Dionys. Alexandrinus to
Fabian, concerning the martyrs in Alexandria._ Compared with _A. Mell.,
1st book, fol. 67, col. 1_. Also, _Joh. Gys., fol. 19, col. 4_. Also,
_Introduction, fol. 40, col. 1_.
COINTHA, A BELIEVING WOMAN, DRAGGED THROUGH THE STREETS OF ALEXANDRIA,
AND STONED FOR THE TESTIMONY OF THE SON OF GOD, A. D. 252.