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2 unusual facts about Christian martyrs


Christian martyrs

Some Roman Catholic writers (such as Thomas Cahill) continue to use a system of degrees of martyrdom that was developed in early Christianity.

The age of martyrs also forced the church to confront theological issues such as the proper response to those Christians who “lapsed” and renounced the Christian faith to save their lives: were they to be allowed back into the Church?


Massa Candida

The Massa Candida were 300 early Christian martyrs from Utica who chose death rather than offering incense to Roman Gods, in approximately 253-60 AD.

Museum of St Albans

The medieval gallery covers Saint Alban, who was the first Christian martyr in Britain, together with St Albans Abbey that was founded on the site where he was martyred.

Pope Pius I

There is some conjecture that he was a martyr in Rome, a conjecture that entered earlier editions of the Breviary.

Severinus, Exuperius, and Felician

Saints Severinus, Exuperius, and Felician were martyrs put to death under Emperor Marcus Aurelius at Vienne, Gaul.


see also

Orderic Vitalis

When Orderic reached the legal age for profession as a monk, his monastic superiors gave him the religious name of Vitalis (after a member of the legendary Theban Legion of Christian martyrs) because they found a difficulty in pronouncing his unusual baptismal name.

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Siracusa

Besides its martyred bishops, Syracuse claims other Christian martyrs, such as St. Benignus and St. Eugarius (204), St. Bassianus (270); and the martyrdom of the deacon Euplus and the virgin St. Lucy under Diocletian are thought to be historical.

Saint Damien

Saints Cosmas and Damian, twins and early Christian martyrs born in Arabia

Tebourba

It was at Thuburbo Minus that the Christian martyrs Perpetua and Felicity with their companions were arrested.