I. The “Myth and Reality” I. The “Myth and Reality” of Persecution in the Early of Persecution in the Early

ChurchChurch

A “continual bloodbath of myriads upon myriads of A “continual bloodbath of myriads upon myriads of numberless Christians” ? numberless Christians” ? (Guy, p. 50)(Guy, p. 50)

II. A History of the II. A History of the PersecutionsPersecutions

A.A. New Testament period New Testament period to Neronian to Neronian Persecution (54-68)Persecution (54-68)

• Stephen’s stoning Stephen’s stoning (Acts 6-7)(Acts 6-7)

• Apostles Peter and Apostles Peter and Paul martyred in 65Paul martyred in 65

Peter’s Tomb by Pedro Berruguete

II. A History of the II. A History of the PersecutionsPersecutions

B. From Domitian B. From Domitian (81-(81-

96)96) to Trajan to Trajan (98-117)(98-117)

• Pliny & Trajan’s Pliny & Trajan’s correspondence correspondence ((ca. ca. 112)112)

Trajan

II. A History of the II. A History of the PersecutionsPersecutions

C.C. From Hadrian From Hadrian (117-(117-

38)38) to Septimus to Septimus Severus Severus (193-211) (193-211)

• martyrdoms of martyrdoms of Polycarp, Perpetua, Polycarp, Perpetua, Felicity, Felicity, ca.ca. 155 155

II. A History of the II. A History of the PersecutionsPersecutions

D. From Decius D. From Decius (249-(249-

251)251) to Valerian to Valerian (253-260)(253-260)

• Cyprian’s martyrdom Cyprian’s martyrdom in 258in 258

II. A History of the II. A History of the PersecutionsPersecutions

E. The “Great E. The “Great Persecution” of Persecution” of Diocletian Diocletian (284-305), (284-305), beginning in 303beginning in 303

Diocletian

II. A History of the II. A History of the PersecutionsPersecutions

F. The varied F. The varied reasons for these reasons for these

persecutions?persecutions?

Trajan’s Forum & Market

III. The Prizing of Christian III. The Prizing of Christian Martyrdom: Martyrdom: what did martyrdom what did martyrdom

actually mean to Christians?actually mean to Christians?

A. A. Martyr Martyr v. v. ConfessorConfessor

Ignatius of Antiochmartyred 110

III. The Prizing of Christian III. The Prizing of Christian Martyrdom: Martyrdom: what did martyrdom what did martyrdom

actually mean to Christians?actually mean to Christians?

B. Roots of the martyr B. Roots of the martyr ideal—the ideal—the Maccabean RevoltMaccabean Revolt (173-164 B.C.)(173-164 B.C.)

Icon of the Maccabean Martyrs

III. The Prizing of Christian III. The Prizing of Christian Martyrdom: Martyrdom: what did martyrdom what did martyrdom

actually mean to Christians?actually mean to Christians?

C. Why not armed C. Why not armed resistance?resistance?

Barna da Sienna, 14th c.

III. The Prizing of Christian III. The Prizing of Christian Martyrdom: Martyrdom: what did martyrdom what did martyrdom

actually mean to Christians?actually mean to Christians?

D. The precedent of St. Stephen D. The precedent of St. Stephen (Acts 6-7)(Acts 6-7)

The Stoning of Stephenby Pietro da Cortona

III. The Prizing of Christian III. The Prizing of Christian Martyrdom: Martyrdom: what did martyrdom what did martyrdom

actually mean to Christians?actually mean to Christians?

E.E. Further developments in the Further developments in the meaning and significance of meaning and significance of the martyrs the martyrs (William G. Bixler)(William G. Bixler)

1.1. The ultimate contextThe ultimate context

2.2. The ultimate companionThe ultimate companion

3.3. The ultimate crownThe ultimate crown

4.4. From love to venerationFrom love to veneration

Icon of Ignatius of Antiochmartyred in 110

IV. The Case of PolycarpIV. The Case of Polycarp