Martyr, Martyrdom, Persecutions

The Last Prayer of the Christian Martyrs - Jean-Léon Gérôme

The word martyrdom denotes the violent death inflicted because of faith.

The word martyr qualifies the person to whom it is inflicted.

In Greek, the word martyr means "witness" of God, more especially unto blood.

The Early Days of the Church

Martyrs appear from the very earliest times of the Church. The first of them was Stephen the deacon, shortly after the Ascension of the Lord.

About ten years later James of Zebedee the Apostle, called the Greater, is the first of the apostles to suffer death, between 41-44, during the persecutions initiated by Herod Agrippa I. This king, who was the brother of Herodias and the companion of Caligula the mad emperor, died eaten by worms.

James of Alphaeus the Apostle, called the Lesser, first bishop of Jerusalem, was stoned in 62 on the order of Ananias II, high priest in office, along with several of his companions. According to Flavius Josephus, he was thrown from the top of the Temple terrace into the Kidron valley where a fuller finished him off with a club.

This last martyrdom in Judea was shortly before those that began in Rome and continued through ten large-scale persecutions.

1. Nero, 66-68,
2. Domitian, 93,
3. Trajan, 107,
4. Marcus Aurelius, 164,
5. Septimius Severus, 199-204,
6. Maximin, 235,
7. Decius, 250,
8. Valerian, 257-258,
9. Aurelian, 273-275,
10. Diocletian and Maximian, 303-311.

The persecutions under Diocletian and Maximian in 303 were the longest and most violent of all. It was called the era of the Martyrs. Diocletian, urged on by Galerius, his son-in-law, issued four edicts during his reign:

• by the first, he ordered the demolition of churches, the burning of holy books, and the deprivation of Christians' civil rights;
• by the second, he decreed the imprisonment of Church leaders;
• by the third, he ordered the use of torture against priests who refused to sacrifice to idols;
• by the fourth, he extended the obligation to sacrifice to all Christians.

However, at the end of these bloody persecutions, on April 30, 311, Galerius issued the Edict of Serdica, granting Christians the right to freely practice their religion.

Certain critics, claiming to be historical, denied the extent or even the reality of these persecutions mainly on the grounds that Christians, being a minority, posed only insignificant problems. This argument does not hold, for several reasons:

1. Christianity early on penetrated the emperor's entourage: Claudia Procula, an illegitimate granddaughter of Emperor Augustus, intervened with Pontius Pilate on behalf of Jesus during his trial.
   Flavia Domitilla (Saint Domitilla), who died after 95, from the imperial family, was exiled because of her faith.
2. Even if the percentage of Christians was only 10%-15%, that still represented at that time eight to fifteen million people. Testimony from the Church Fathers, such as the martyrology, attests that Christianity was established at all social levels and sometimes in key positions, justifying its eradication by paganism.
3. History shows that persecutions target minority populations. This was the case with the Protestant minority during the eight religious wars that ravaged France in the 16th century. It was also the case during the Shoah which attempted to exterminate the Jewish population of Europe. It comprised about 9.5 million people in 1933 yet represented only 1.7% of the total European population.

"The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church," said Tertullian (155-255). It has not ceased flowing since, in various forms.

Paths of Martyrdom

Blood martyrdom is not the only way to experience it. The victim souls, who offer themselves in "holocaust," experience it similarly.

The Act of Offering as Victim of Holocaust to the Merciful Love of the Good God by Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus explicitly mentions it:

In order to live in an act of perfect Love, I offer myself as a victim of holocaust to your merciful Love, begging you to consume me continually, letting overflow into my soul the torrents of infinite tenderness contained in you, so that I may become a Martyr of your Love, oh my God!… May this martyrdom, after preparing me to appear before you, finally cause me to die and may my soul fly without delay into the eternal embrace of Your Merciful Love…

It is known that the sufferings endured are not symbolic. This type of martyrdom was numerous in the 20th century. This was the case, among many others, of Maria Valtorta.

Martyrs and victim souls confront Evil following and imitating Jesus, either bloodily or discreetly, spectacularly or invisibly. Their respective way differs only in a few points: martyrdom unto blood is given from the outside, by hatred of the Christ. The victim soul immolates itself voluntarily from within.

But all face, in varying durations and intensity, physical and moral suffering, as Jesus fully did.

Marie of the Valleys (1590-1656) had a future vision of these victim souls. She calls them the martyrs of divine Love:

They will be great martyrs although their tormentors will not touch them, but they will be martyrs of divine Love. It will be divine Love that will martyr them. They will be burned in the furnace of Love and they will be greater martyrs than many of the first martyrs who suffered martyrdom for the hope of crowns and glory, but these do not look to the reward but only to the glory of God.

Christ gave His life as a sacrifice for the salvation of the world and these disciples understand more broadly the necessity of this gift: "those who do not understand that they must give their life and death after me for the Salvation of the World are not worthy of me," said Jesus. Martyrs unto blood as well as victim souls indeed take up their cross following Christ each in their own way. Holiness is not reserved for an elite. It is within reach of all, "according to the measure of the gift of Christ". But not all believers are called to live these trials chosen by these exceptional souls. The daily Cross, which is the lot of all, finds many applications in the love of God and neighbor which underlie holiness:

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your spirit. This is the greatest and the first commandment, Jesus answered a scribe who asked him. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.

Martyrs are intimately linked to the history of the Church

Blood martyrdom accompanies the evangelization of all continents: Africa, Americas, Asia, Oceania. It affects missionaries, as well as the faithful, and also nuns and monks from indigenous populations.

The 20th century was a century of resurgence of persecutions following the Apostasy of peoples which so well illustrates the vision of Leo XIII opening the purifying trial of the "Century of Satan".

In the heart of a conflict that claimed millions of victims, the Virgin appeared at Fatima and entrusted a prophetic message to three young seers The third part was really only known at the end of the 20th century. In commenting on it at the request of John Paul II, Cardinal Ratzinger recognizes the trials of the century that was ending:

…in the vision, we can recognize the past century (the 20th century) as the century of martyrs, as the century of sufferings and persecutions of the Church, as the century of the world wars (first half of the century) and many local wars that filled the entire second half and that made people experience new forms of cruelty. […] On this matter, he specifies, it seems appropriate to mention a phrase in the letter Sister Lucia wrote to the Holy Father on May 12, 1982: The third part of the secret refers to the words of Our Lady: Unless [Russia] spreads its errors throughout the world, promoting wars and persecutions against the Church. The good will be martyred, the Holy Father will suffer much, various nations will be destroyed.

The 20th century was indeed a century of martyrs comparable to the early days of the Church, said John Paul II:

During the 20th century, perhaps more than in the beginnings of Christianity, very many bore witness of the faith amid often heroic sufferings. […] They underwent forms of old and new persecution, they experienced hatred and exclusion, violence and assassination. Numerous countries of ancient Christian tradition again became lands where it cost to remain faithful to the Gospel.

On this occasion, he highlighted:

The witness given to Christ unto blood has become a common heritage among Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans, and Protestants.

It is enough to recall the persecution of the 'Boxers' in China, the genocide of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, the long persecutions in the Soviet empire, the 'Cristeros' war in Mexico, massacres in Spain, etc.

Christianity itself was the origin of persecutions reported in the dark pages of its history. However, even here, discernment must intervene to distinguish guilty reality, which involves us, from ill-intentioned militant accusation. Among these was an attempt to make Pius XII a willing accomplice of antisemitic Nazism, but reality, as suspected, is quite different.

In "The Gospel as It Was Revealed to Me"

Martyrs, the Persecuted

• The Holy Innocents are the first martyrs of Christ. 
• Martyrdom does not lie in the form of torment, but in the steadfastness with which the martyr endures it.
• Mary also wept for all her sons who, born of woman, are destined to become apostles of God and martyrs for the love of God, by fidelity to God or by the ferocity of men.
• But, my John! It is the host that all categories of those who love me can imitate: virgin, martyr, confessor, evangelizer, servant of God and of the Mother of God, active and contemplative, it is an example to all.
• By one torture or another, you will all be put to the test. For now it is the renunciation of your comforts, your affections, your interests. Then it will be a sacrifice increasingly vast, until the supreme sacrifice crowns you with an immortal diadem.
• Blessed are the persecuted for justice, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
• Because of your human weakness, indeed you could not suffer martyrdom with resignation. But to the great spirits who must give testimony to the Lord, the Lord infuses a supernatural help...

Martyrdom, Persecutions

• When you are persecuted in one town, flee to another.
• Do you not know, with all your wisdom, that persecuting a doctrine serves only to increase its power, especially when it corresponds in fact to what is taught?
• Prophecy on persecutions of the nascent Church during the farewell at Yutta.
• The disciples begin to be pursued, in spring of the 3rd year.

In Other Works of Maria Valtorta

The Notebooks of 1943

• Catechesis of June 7: For whom do I suffer? Which soul needs this agony to heal, to hope, to come back to you? I will never know here below, but I am convinced that it exists and that I must drink this bitter cup for expiation. I do so willingly even if my tears run down my cheeks. But let me weep on your heart, for if it is sweet to love on it, it is sweet to suffer on it. (Maria)
• Catechesis of August 21: The masters and martyrs of faith.

The Notebooks of 1944

• Catechesis of January 13: Like Christ, martyrs demonstrated limitless love unto death. Love is the greatest word in the universe. Vision of the martyrdom of Saint Agnes.
• Catechesis of February 8: Commentary on Book of Daniel, chapter 3 : the episode of the three young men condemned for not wanting to worship the golden statue. It is important to give thanks to the Father.
• Vision of February 29: Visions of the first martyrs in the Mamertine prison. The apostle Paul blesses Castulus, a small martyr who teaches that strength is found in the Eucharist. "The soil of the Christian world is becoming pagan again."
• Vision of March 1: Vision of the martyrdom of Felicity and Perpetua.
• Catechesis of March 2: The wisdom of martyrs is the Wisdom of God; all who love the Lord and make this love the goal of their lives possess it.
• Vision of March 4: Vision of the martyrdom of Saint Phenicules and the death of Petronilla, her friend and spiritual daughter of the apostle Peter. This vision highlights the power of prayer, the fruits of a holy friendship and the value of sacrifice.
• Catechesis of March 5: The figure of martyrs, returned to original innocence by the work of grace, as well as their mission to sanctify the world and bear witness to the Gospel through their sacrifice.
• Vision of March 29: The martyrdom of Justina and Cyprian.
• Catechesis of June 11: The life of victims must be led on a totally spiritual plane, very elevated and filled with love. Such souls resemble the animals of Ezekiel’s theophany and live heroically the virtues of the saints.
• Vision of July 23: The martyrdom of Cecilia
• Vision of August 7: Vision in two parts: one concerns the dialogue between Gamaliel, who disapproves of violence against Christians, and Saul, who disagrees with him; the other concerns the accusation brought by the Sanhedrin against Stephen, culminating with the stoning of the young man, in which Saul fiercely participates.

The Notebooks from 1945 to 1950

• Vision of January 16, 1945: A Mass of Pope Marcellus in the catacomb church of the blessed martyr Valens, and the ordination to priesthood of Valentinus.
• Vision of February 11, 1945: Vision of priest Diomedes and other Christians in a prison, at the time of the first persecutions.
• Vision of February 20, 1945: Vision of persecutions against Christians in a circus; an old priest evangelizes and baptizes a group of gladiators with his own blood.
• Vision of April 20, 1945: Vision of the martyrdom of Irene in Thessalonica. Anastasia assists her.
• Vision of July 23, 1945: The martyrdom of Flora and Mary of Cordoba (9th century).
• Vision of December 4, 1945: Apparition of Saint Martine, virgin and martyr (3rd century).
• Vision of November 24, 1946: Long and terrifying vision of Christian martyrs. Martyrdom of Saint Pope Cletus (Anacletus) during the first major persecution under Domitian.

In Fundamental Christian Texts

Martyrdom

• "However, some in Israel remained firm and had the strength not to eat impure things. They accepted death rather than consume impure food and profane the holy covenant, and they died."
• "They were told, 'Enough! Go out and obey the king's command and you will live.' – 'We will not go out,' they said, 'nor will we obey the king's order to violate the Sabbath.' Immediately attacked, they refrained from fighting back, from throwing stones, from barricading their retreats. 'Let us all die in our righteousness,' they said; Heaven and earth are witnesses that you unjustly put us to death. They were assaulted on the Sabbath and perished, with their wives, children, and livestock, a thousand persons in all.
• Eleazar, one of the first teachers of the Law, an elderly and noble-looking man, was forced, his mouth forcibly opened, to eat pork. But preferring a glorious death to an infamous life, he moved voluntarily toward the torture wheel…
• Martyrdom of the seven Maccabean brothers.

Persecutions

• "Every time I have to speak the word, I must call for help and cry out: ‘Violence, repression!’ Because of the word of the Lord, I am attacked all day long with insults and mockery."

Persecutions and martyrs

• Forces on his part will take position; they will profane the sanctuary-fortress, put an end to the perpetual sacrifice and set up the abomination that causes desolation. He will make those who violate the Covenant apostatize by intrigue, but the people who know their God will be strong; the wise among the people will instruct many, though they will fall by sword, flame, captivity and plunder for days....

Persecutions

• Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven; for so persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Victimal Gift (Host)

• I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ I complete in my flesh on behalf of his body, which is the Church.

In the Catechism of the Catholic Church

• Martyrdom of Saint Thomas More.
• "Throughout his life, Jesus shows himself as our model […] through his poverty, he calls to freely accept deprivation and persecutions".
• "Saint John the Baptist is the immediate precursor of the Lord, […] Preceding Jesus "in the spirit and power of Elijah", he bears witness to him by his preaching, his baptism of conversion, and finally his martyrdom.-
• The Flight into Egypt and the Massacre of the Innocents manifest the opposition of darkness to the light […] The whole life of Christ will be under the sign of persecution.

In other sources

• Catechesis of Pope Benedict XVI on Tertullian (General Audience of Wednesday, May 30, 2007).