The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity
The document, "The Passion of Saints Perpetua and
Felicity," shows just how mighty and fearless the faith of
the martyrs were in Rome around 203 A.D. in which our story
takes place. During the rule of Diocletian, Christianity was
not the religion of popular belief. Many of Romans
practiced polytheism. As a result, numerous Christian
believers were persecuted for their divine faith in God.
Surprisingly, the Christian martyrs did not care that they
were sentenced to death. They believed that by dying for
what they believe, it would only bring them closer to God
and the Gates of Heaven. The document states, "For this
cause have we devoted our lives, that we might do no such
thing as this; this we agreed with you" (para. 18). To the
martyrs, nothing was more important than fulfilling God's
duties.
The martyrs in the document take on the role of
mediator between God and man, spreading the Word of God to
the masses of people and the relaying to them his holy
message, in a sense taking on the role of Jesus Christ, the
Son of God. Perpetua, one of the martyrs when confronted
about her faith by her father retorts, "I am Christian"
(para.6). Another martyr, Felicity, confidently defends
her faith and proclaims it openly by stating, "Stand fast in
the faith, and love you all one another; and be not offended
because of our passion" (para.20). This statement portrays
to the reader the martyrs general attitude towards their
faith and how they embraced the lifestyle of Christ and his
teachings with no fear for death.
The way these martyrs died is a crucial element in the
rise of Christianity. When Christian martyrs were sentenced
to death, they were not executed in a private manner, but
rather were tormented and killed publicly, allowing all the
citizens of Rome to witness the account. The official of
the Roman government hoped that by making the martyrs'
execution public, it would deter others from joining the
religion and moving
Felicity," shows just how mighty and fearless the faith of
the martyrs were in Rome around 203 A.D. in which our story
takes place. During the rule of Diocletian, Christianity was
not the religion of popular belief. Many of Romans
practiced polytheism. As a result, numerous Christian
believers were persecuted for their divine faith in God.
Surprisingly, the Christian martyrs did not care that they
were sentenced to death. They believed that by dying for
what they believe, it would only bring them closer to God
and the Gates of Heaven. The document states, "For this
cause have we devoted our lives, that we might do no such
thing as this; this we agreed with you" (para. 18). To the
martyrs, nothing was more important than fulfilling God's
duties.
The martyrs in the document take on the role of
mediator between God and man, spreading the Word of God to
the masses of people and the relaying to them his holy
message, in a sense taking on the role of Jesus Christ, the
Son of God. Perpetua, one of the martyrs when confronted
about her faith by her father retorts, "I am Christian"
(para.6). Another martyr, Felicity, confidently defends
her faith and proclaims it openly by stating, "Stand fast in
the faith, and love you all one another; and be not offended
because of our passion" (para.20). This statement portrays
to the reader the martyrs general attitude towards their
faith and how they embraced the lifestyle of Christ and his
teachings with no fear for death.
The way these martyrs died is a crucial element in the
rise of Christianity. When Christian martyrs were sentenced
to death, they were not executed in a private manner, but
rather were tormented and killed publicly, allowing all the
citizens of Rome to witness the account. The official of
the Roman government hoped that by making the martyrs'
execution public, it would deter others from joining the
religion and moving