Chapters
The Martyrdom of Justin Martyr
Chapters
More
Chapter 3: Examination of Chariton and Others.
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.”