Confessional Lutheran theology, hagiography, philosophy, music, culture, sports, education,
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07 March 2006
+ Perpetua, Felicity, and Companions, Martyrs +
7 March AD 203
At the dawn of the Third Century, Roman emperor Septimus Severus banned conversions to Christianity. Among those disobeying that edict were Vibia Perpetua, a young noblewoman, and her maidservant Felicitas. Both were jailed at Carthage in North Africa along with three fellow Christians, Revocatus and Saturninus, and Saturus, their teacher.
Perpetua and at least some of the had not completed catechesis and weren't yet baptized when arrested. Evidently, they received Holy Baptism before being taken to prison. She was also a new mother and a fairly recent widow. Felicitas (or Felicity) was near the end of her own pregnancy when arrested.
During their imprisonment, Perpetua and Felicitas witnessed to their faith with such conviction that the officer in charge became a follower of Jesus. For some time, doubts remained about their fates, but Perpetua had a vision of a golden ladder guarded by a fierce dragon. She climbed it, stepping on the dragon's head to do so. At the top, she found a green meadow with many white-robed figures. In their midst stood a Shepherd, who welcomed her and gave her cheese from the sheep's milk. She awoke understanding that martyrdom was assured but that she would triumph.
Perpetua's father came to plead that she recant her confession of faith and renounce Jesus Christ. This she steadfastly refused.
Roman law forbade the execution of pregnant women and Felicitas feared that Perpetua and the men being held at the same time would face martyrdom but leave her behind. However, she gave birth two days before the scheduled execution and was allowed to join her companions in the arena on 7 March.
The women first made arrangements for the well-being of their children. This was possible because the imperial decree only concerned recent converts to Christianity (or Judaism). Since those entrusted with their children's care were believers of long standing, they were safe from persecution, at least for the time being.
The accounts say that the five were first scourged at the crowd's urging. Then the men faced a boar, a bear, and a leopard while a wild cow was set against the women. After they were all injured, Perpetua and Felicity exchanged the kiss of peace before the Romans put them to the sword. One tradition holds that Perpetua showed mercy to her captors by guiding the sword of a trembling young gladiator to her own heart because he could not bear to put her to death.
The martyrs were interred in Carthage in North Africa and the story spread throughout Christendom. Later, a basilica was erected over their tomb. The story of the martyrdom of Saint Perpetua, Saint Felicitas, and their faithful companions has served for centuries as encouragement to persecuted Christians.
Lection
Psalm 34:1-8 or 124
Hebrews 10:32-39
Matthew 24:9-14
Collect
O God the true Emperor of Your saints, who strengthened Your servants Perpetua and Felicitas and their companions to make a good confession, staunchly resisting, for the cause of Christ, the claims of human affection, and encouraging one another in their time of trial, grant that we who cherish their blessed memory may share their pure and steadfast faith, and win with them the palm of victory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Technorati Tags: Perpetua | Felicitas | Felicity | martyr | martyrdom | saint ¶ 00:01 |
At the dawn of the Third Century, Roman emperor Septimus Severus banned conversions to Christianity. Among those disobeying that edict were Vibia Perpetua, a young noblewoman, and her maidservant Felicitas. Both were jailed at Carthage in North Africa along with three fellow Christians, Revocatus and Saturninus, and Saturus, their teacher.Perpetua and at least some of the had not completed catechesis and weren't yet baptized when arrested. Evidently, they received Holy Baptism before being taken to prison. She was also a new mother and a fairly recent widow. Felicitas (or Felicity) was near the end of her own pregnancy when arrested.
During their imprisonment, Perpetua and Felicitas witnessed to their faith with such conviction that the officer in charge became a follower of Jesus. For some time, doubts remained about their fates, but Perpetua had a vision of a golden ladder guarded by a fierce dragon. She climbed it, stepping on the dragon's head to do so. At the top, she found a green meadow with many white-robed figures. In their midst stood a Shepherd, who welcomed her and gave her cheese from the sheep's milk. She awoke understanding that martyrdom was assured but that she would triumph.
Perpetua's father came to plead that she recant her confession of faith and renounce Jesus Christ. This she steadfastly refused.Roman law forbade the execution of pregnant women and Felicitas feared that Perpetua and the men being held at the same time would face martyrdom but leave her behind. However, she gave birth two days before the scheduled execution and was allowed to join her companions in the arena on 7 March.
The women first made arrangements for the well-being of their children. This was possible because the imperial decree only concerned recent converts to Christianity (or Judaism). Since those entrusted with their children's care were believers of long standing, they were safe from persecution, at least for the time being.
The accounts say that the five were first scourged at the crowd's urging. Then the men faced a boar, a bear, and a leopard while a wild cow was set against the women. After they were all injured, Perpetua and Felicity exchanged the kiss of peace before the Romans put them to the sword. One tradition holds that Perpetua showed mercy to her captors by guiding the sword of a trembling young gladiator to her own heart because he could not bear to put her to death.
The martyrs were interred in Carthage in North Africa and the story spread throughout Christendom. Later, a basilica was erected over their tomb. The story of the martyrdom of Saint Perpetua, Saint Felicitas, and their faithful companions has served for centuries as encouragement to persecuted Christians.
Lection
Psalm 34:1-8 or 124
Hebrews 10:32-39
Matthew 24:9-14
Collect
O God the true Emperor of Your saints, who strengthened Your servants Perpetua and Felicitas and their companions to make a good confession, staunchly resisting, for the cause of Christ, the claims of human affection, and encouraging one another in their time of trial, grant that we who cherish their blessed memory may share their pure and steadfast faith, and win with them the palm of victory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Technorati Tags: Perpetua | Felicitas | Felicity | martyr | martyrdom | saint ¶ 00:01 |
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My 17 year old daughter saw your post on Vibia Perpetua and had the following question. Was not Perpetua commiting suicide when she guided the sword into her?, and taking Gods will into her own hand?
Fellow Johnnie,
"Donny" Richard
Fellow Johnnie,
"Donny" Richard
Please don't take my initial response as flippant; I intend it only for illustration. In one way, I view the last moments of Saint Perpetua as being no different than the person facing a firing squad to shoot straight or one kneeling to the axe asking the executioner for a straight and sure blow.
While Perpetua, the same as most other Christians killed for their faith, embraced martyrdom as a the best witness to the power of Christ in her life, she certainly showed no reckless, headstrong rush to shorten her days. Her life was immediately forfeit — the wild cow had already dealt a near-mortal blow. She wasn't seeking to avoid the cross her Savior had allowed to take up. Instead, she showed calm acceptance of her end.
Additionally, some early accounts speak of how she gathered her torn clothing about herself following the goring she received. Perhaps wishing to preserve chastity — and considering the trembling gladiator facing her — Perpetua sought to be struck dead without her clothing being torn again from her body.
While Perpetua, the same as most other Christians killed for their faith, embraced martyrdom as a the best witness to the power of Christ in her life, she certainly showed no reckless, headstrong rush to shorten her days. Her life was immediately forfeit — the wild cow had already dealt a near-mortal blow. She wasn't seeking to avoid the cross her Savior had allowed to take up. Instead, she showed calm acceptance of her end.
Additionally, some early accounts speak of how she gathered her torn clothing about herself following the goring she received. Perhaps wishing to preserve chastity — and considering the trembling gladiator facing her — Perpetua sought to be struck dead without her clothing being torn again from her body.
Excellent post. I've bookmarked it on del.icio.us and it will be automatically linked at my site tonight.
I think that it is amazing how quickly the Christian faith grew in the Roman Empire when it was under severe persecution. Today we see Christianity spreading rapidly in China despite the best efforts of the government to repress it. Some western scholars say that there may up to 90 million Chistians in China, which may make it the most Christian nation on earth.
Blessings,
-Mike
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I think that it is amazing how quickly the Christian faith grew in the Roman Empire when it was under severe persecution. Today we see Christianity spreading rapidly in China despite the best efforts of the government to repress it. Some western scholars say that there may up to 90 million Chistians in China, which may make it the most Christian nation on earth.
Blessings,
-Mike
# posted by 
: 20:07
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