We don't know their names, but today the Church remembers the faithful Christians who first suffered martyrdom, particularly in the city of Rome during the first century AD.
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The first days after Christ's death and resurrection were not easy. In fact, the first persecution began under the direction of the Emperor Nero himself after the burning of Rome in 64AD. The pagan writer Tacitus provides perhaps the most detailed accounts of the torture and suffering endured by the faithful. Saint Clement, who was Bishop of Rome also speaks of this suffering in his letter to the Corinthians:
Let us ... come to those who struggled closest to us; let us consider the noble models of our own generation. It was through jealousy and envy that the greatest and most upright pillars of the Church were persecuted and struggled unto death. Let us set before our eyes the good apostles. First of all, Peter, who because of unreasonable jealousy, suffered not merely once or twice but many times, and having thus given his witness, went to the place of glory that he deserved. it was through jealousy and conflict that Paul showed the way to the prize for perserverance. He was put in chains seven times, sent into exile, and stoned; a herald both in the east and the west, he achieved a noble fame by his faith. He taught justice to all the world and, when he had reached the limits of the western world, he gave his witness before those in authority; then he left this world and was taken up into the holy place, a superb example of endurance.
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Around these men with their holy lives there gathered a great throng of the elect, who, though victims of jealousy, gave us the finest example of endurance in the midst of many indignities and tortures. Through jealousy women were tormented like Dirce or the daughters of Danaus, suffering terrible and unholy acts of violence. But they courageously finished the course of faith and despite their bodily weakness won a noble prize. it was jealousy that separated wives from husbands, and violated the words of our faith Adam: This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. Jealousy and strife have overthrown great cities and uprooted mighty nations.
We are writing this, beloved, not only for your admonition but also as a reminder to ourselves; for we are placed in the same arena, and the same contest lies before us. Hence we ought to put aside vain and useless concerns and go straight to the glorious and venerable norm which is our tradition, and we should consider what is good, pleasing and acceptable in the sight of him who made us. Let us fix our gaze on the blood of Christ, realizing how precious it is to his Father, since it was shed for our salvation and brought the grace of repentance to all the world.
The first days after Christ's death and resurrection were not easy. In fact, the first persecution began under the direction of the Emperor Nero himself after the burning of Rome in 64AD. The pagan writer Tacitus provides perhaps the most detailed accounts of the torture and suffering endured by the faithful. Saint Clement, who was Bishop of Rome also speaks of this suffering in his letter to the Corinthians:
Let us ... come to those who struggled closest to us; let us consider the noble models of our own generation. It was through jealousy and envy that the greatest and most upright pillars of the Church were persecuted and struggled unto death. Let us set before our eyes the good apostles. First of all, Peter, who because of unreasonable jealousy, suffered not merely once or twice but many times, and having thus given his witness, went to the place of glory that he deserved. it was through jealousy and conflict that Paul showed the way to the prize for perserverance. He was put in chains seven times, sent into exile, and stoned; a herald both in the east and the west, he achieved a noble fame by his faith. He taught justice to all the world and, when he had reached the limits of the western world, he gave his witness before those in authority; then he left this world and was taken up into the holy place, a superb example of endurance.
Around these men with their holy lives there gathered a great throng of the elect, who, though victims of jealousy, gave us the finest example of endurance in the midst of many indignities and tortures. Through jealousy women were tormented like Dirce or the daughters of Danaus, suffering terrible and unholy acts of violence. But they courageously finished the course of faith and despite their bodily weakness won a noble prize. it was jealousy that separated wives from husbands, and violated the words of our faith Adam: This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. Jealousy and strife have overthrown great cities and uprooted mighty nations.
We are writing this, beloved, not only for your admonition but also as a reminder to ourselves; for we are placed in the same arena, and the same contest lies before us. Hence we ought to put aside vain and useless concerns and go straight to the glorious and venerable norm which is our tradition, and we should consider what is good, pleasing and acceptable in the sight of him who made us. Let us fix our gaze on the blood of Christ, realizing how precious it is to his Father, since it was shed for our salvation and brought the grace of repentance to all the world.
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