The Martyrdom of Justin Martyr

IN THE TIME OF THE LAWLESS SUPPORTERS OF IDOLATRY: wicked laws were enacted against the godly Christians in both towns and the countryside, to force them to offer sacrifices to worthless idols.

Consequently, the holy men, once captured, were brought before the prefect of Rome, whose name was Rusticus. When they were brought before his judgment seat, Rusticus the prefect said to Justin, “Obey the gods immediately, and submit to the kings.” Justin replied, “To obey the commandments of our Savior Jesus Christ is worthy of neither blame nor condemnation.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “What kind of doctrines do you profess?” Justin answered, “I have tried to learn all doctrines; but I have come to accept the true doctrines, those of the Christians, even though they do not please those who hold false opinions.” Rusticus the prefect said, “Are those the doctrines that please you, you utterly wretched man?” Justin replied, “Yes, since I adhere to them with correct belief.” Rusticus the prefect inquired, “What is this belief?” Justin said, “It is the one by which we worship the God of the Christians, whom we consider to be the one from the beginning, the creator and designer of the entire creation, both visible and invisible; and the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was also proclaimed beforehand by the prophets as destined to be present among humanity, the herald of salvation and teacher of good disciples.

And I, being a man, believe that what I can say is insignificant compared to His boundless divinity, acknowledging a certain prophetic power, since it was prophesied concerning Him of whom I now declare is the Son of God. For I know that long ago the prophets foretold His appearance among men.”

RUSTICUS THE PREFECT SAID: "Where do you gather?" Justin replied, "Wherever each person chooses and can. Do you think we all meet in the exact same place? No, because the God of the Christians isn't limited to one place. Being invisible, He fills heaven and earth and is worshipped and glorified everywhere by the faithful." Rusticus asked, "Tell me where you gather, or where do you bring your followers together?" Justin answered, "I live above a man named Martinus, at the Timiotinian Bath, and during all this time (and this is my second time living in Rome), I'm not aware of any other gathering than his. If anyone wanted to visit me, I shared with them the teachings of truth." Rusticus said, "So, you are a Christian?" Justin replied, "Yes, I am a Christian."

THEN THE PREFECT RUSTICUS SAID TO CHARITON: “Tell me more, Chariton, are you also a Christian?” Chariton replied, “I am a Christian by the command of God.” Rusticus the prefect asked the woman Charito, “What do you say, Charito?” Charito answered, “I am a Christian by the grace of God.” Rusticus asked Euelpistus, “And what about you?” Euelpistus, a servant of Caesar, responded, “I too am a Christian, having been freed by Christ; and by the grace of Christ, I share the same hope.” Rusticus the prefect asked Hierax, “And you, are you a Christian?” Hierax answered, “Yes, I am a Christian, for I revere and worship the same God.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Did Justin make you Christians?” Hierax replied, “I was a Christian, and will be a Christian.” Then Pæon stood up and said, “I too am a Christian.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Who taught you?” Pæon replied, “From our parents, we received this good confession.” Euelpistus said, “I willingly heard the words of Justin.

But I also learned to be a Christian from my parents.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Where are your parents?” Euelpistus replied, “In Cappadocia.” Rusticus asked Hierax, “Where are your parents?” And he answered, “Christ is our true father, and faith in Him is our mother; my earthly parents died, and when I was driven from Iconium in Phrygia, I came here.” Rusticus the prefect asked Liberianus, “And what do you say? Are you a Christian and unwilling to worship [the gods]?” Liberianus replied, “I too am a Christian, for I worship and revere the only true God.”

THE PREFECT SAYS TO JUSTIN: "Listen, you who are called learned and think that you know true doctrines; if you are scourged and beheaded, do you believe you will ascend into heaven?" Justin said, "I hope that, if I endure these things, I shall have His gifts. For I know that, to all who have thus lived, there abides the divine favor until the completion of the whole world." Rusticus the prefect said, "Do you suppose, then, that you will ascend into heaven to receive some recompense?" Justin said, "I do not suppose it, but I know and am fully persuaded of it." Rusticus the prefect said, "Let us, then, now come to the matter at hand, and which presses. Having come together, offer sacrifice with one accord to the gods." Justin said, "No right-thinking person falls away from piety to impiety." Rusticus the prefect said, "Unless you obey, you shall be mercilessly punished." Justin said, "Through prayer we can be saved on account of our Lord Jesus Christ, even when we have been punished, because this shall become to us salvation and confidence at the more fearful and universal judgment-seat of our Lord and Savior." Thus also said the other martyrs: "Do what you will, for we are Christians, and do not sacrifice to idols."

RUSTICUS THE PREFECT ANNOUNCED THE SENTENCE: saying, “Let those who have refused to sacrifice to the gods and obey the emperor's command be whipped, and taken away to face the punishment of beheading, according to the laws.” The holy martyrs, having glorified God and having proceeded to the designated place, were beheaded, completing their testimony in the confession of the Saviour. Some of the faithful, having secretly taken their bodies, placed them in a suitable location, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ having worked with them. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.