Citizendia

Icon of St. Ignatius of Antioch (†107) being eaten by lions.
Icon of St. Ignatius of Antioch (†107) being eaten by lions. An icon (from Greek εἰκών eikōn, "image" is a religious work of art most commonly a painting from Eastern Christianity. Saint Ignatius of Antioch (also known as Theophorus) (ca 35-110 was the third Bishop and Patriarch of Antioch and possibly a student of the Apostle John

A Christian martyr is one who is murdered or put to death for his Christian faith or convictions. Many Christian martyrs suffered cruel and torturous deaths like stoning, crucifixion, and burning at the stake. Stoning, or lapidation, refers to a form of Capital punishment whereby an organized group throws stones at the convicted individual until the person dies Crucifixion (from Latin crucifixio, noun of process crucifixio, from perfect passive participle crucifixus, fixed to a cross from Execution by burning has a long history as a method of Punishment for Crimes such as Treason, Heresy and Witchcraft The word 'martyr' comes from the Greek word translated "witness. The term martyr ( Greek μάρτυς martys "witness" is most commonly used today to describe an individual who sacrifices their life (or personal freedom " Martyrdom is the result of religious persecution. Religious persecution is the systematic mistreatment of an individual or group of individuals as a response to their religious beliefs of affiliations.

The first known Christian martyr was Saint Stephen as recorded in the Acts 6:8–8:3, who was stoned to death for his faith. Stephen was killed (i. e. , martyred) for his support, belief and faith in Jesus Christ of Nazareth as the Messiah. Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) Nazareth (ˈnæzərəθ (נָצְרַת Hebrew Natz'rat or Natzeret, الناصرة an-Nāṣira or an-Naseriyye) is the capital and largest This article is about the concept of a Messiah in religion notably in the Christian Islamic and Jewish traditions There were probably other early Christian martyrs besides Stephen since Saul, later-known as the Apostle Paul of Tarsus, is mentioned as bringing many murderous threats against the disciples or followers of Jesus (Acts 9:1ff. Paul the apostle (שאול התרסי Šaʾul HaTarsi, meaning " Saul of Tarsus " Σαούλ Saul and Σαῦλος Saulos and ).

In subsequent centuries, during periods of widespread persecution, and in particular during the Protestant Reformation, many Christians were martyred, being charged alternately as heretics or Papists. The Protestant Reformation was a reform movement in Europe that began in 1517 though its roots lie further back in time Heresy is an introduced change to some system of belief especially a religion that conflicts with the previously established canon of that belief Papist is a term usually disparaging or an Anti-Catholic slur referring to a member of the Catholic Church. Modern statistics of total Christian martyrs are estimated to total around 70 Million. [1]

Contents

Significance of martyrdom in Christian theology

In 1933 the German church historian Ethelbert Stauffer put forth a thesis regarding the role of martyrdom in Christian theology (specifically Anabaptist theology). [2][3]

According to Stauffer, in the period of post-canonical Judaism (since about 175 B. C. ) a new viewpoint impressed itself on the then flourishing apocryphal literature: the idea that suffering and martyrdom for one's faith are the very meaning of the happenings of history, for a double reason: (a) they represent a causal necessity in the great fight between the divine and the satanic order. The great Adversary does not allow a pure realization of God's plan, at least not in this present aeon or world period. (b) Such suffering, however, serves at the same time a very great purpose: it ushers in the new aeon. Death becomes victory, martyrdom is an expiating sacrifice, and Satan will be overcome only by such nonresistant suffering. That was the teaching of Daniel 3 (the three men in the furnace) and of the Second and Third Book of the Maccabees (e. g. , the story of the mother and her seven sons). In short, the apocalyptic, pre-Christian literature offers this double justification of martyrdom: causally it is inescapable, and teleologically ("what for") it is absolutely meaningful.

The New Testament continued this apocalyptic trend even further; the Cross becoming the very center not only of salvation but also the vindication of all martyrdom for conscience' sake. In fact the idea of Nachfolge or discipleship would almost be without meaning if it were not connected with such earthly tribulations. The believer's conflict with the "world" is the surest indication that the disciple is true to the master, testifying for another reality and preparing for the coming of the kingdom. Two figures of speech soon became generally accepted: the disciple must become a "soldier" [occasionally also called a "knight"] of Christ who "fights the good fight" to the bitter end, and secondly, baptism is called death just as death is a sort of baptism by blood.

The lives of the martyrs became a great source of inspiration for the Christians and their lives and relics were greatly revered. Second century Church Father, Tertullian wrote that "The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians", implying that the willing sacrificing of the martyrs lives leads to the conversion of many more. Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus, Anglicised as Tertullian, (ca [4] Even to this day, relics of the saints are given great reverence in the Church. The age of martyrdom also helped develop some of the liturgical worship such as having relics in altars, and the architecture of the buildings built for worship.

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? Some felt they should not while others said they could. In the end, it was agreed to allow them in after a period of penance. The re-admittance of the “lapsed” became a defining moment in the Church because it allowed the sacrament of repentance and readmission to the Church despite issues of sin.

History of Christian martyrdom

Apostolic Age—1st century

Saint Stephen, depicted by Carlo Crivelli in 1476 with three stones and the martyrs' palm.
Saint Stephen, depicted by Carlo Crivelli in 1476 with three stones and the martyrs' palm. "Crivelli" redirects to this page See Crivelli (surname for more

(Note: John the Evangelist according to legend was cooked in boiling hot oil but survived. Saint John the Evangelist (d ca 110 יוחנן " The LORD is merciful" Standard Hebrew Yoḥanan, Tiberian Hebrew He was the only one of the original twelve Apostles who was not martyred).

Age of Martyrdom—2nd to 4th centuries

The martyrdom of St. Alban, from a 13th century manuscript, now in the Trinity College Library, Dublin. Note the executioner's eyes falling out of his head.
The martyrdom of St. Alban, from a 13th century manuscript, now in the Trinity College Library, Dublin. Saint Alban of Mainz (b unknown Greece or Albania; d c 406 in Mainz) was a Priest, Missionary, and Martyr. Note the executioner's eyes falling out of his head.

Middle Ages—5th to 15th centuries

Reformation Era—16th century

Dirk Willems etching from Martyrs Mirror.
Dirk Willems etching from Martyrs Mirror. A hermit (from the Greek ἔρημος erēmos, signifying " Desert " "uninhabited" hence "desert-dweller" adjective "eremitic" Segovia is a city in Spain, the capital of the province of Segovia in Castile-Leon. Saint Ludmila (c 860 - September 15, 921) is a Saint and Martyr venerated by the Orthodox and the Roman Catholics Events By Place Asia Ahmad ibn Fadlan is sent from Baghdad to the king of the Volga Bulgars, on behalf of the Edward the Martyr or Eadweard II (c 962&ndash 18 March 978) was King of England from 975 until he was murdered in 978 Events By Place Europe The Tynwald (parliament of the Isle of Man is founded Saint Stanisław Szczepanowski or Saint Stanislaus of Szczepanów (July 26 1030 &ndash April 11? 1079 was a Bishop of Kraków known chiefly for having been St Thomas Becket (c 1118 &ndash December 29, 1170) was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 to 1170 Jan Hus ( (ˈjan ˈɦus alternative spellings John Hus, Jan Huss, John Huss) (c Jerome of Prague ( Jeroným Pražský in Czech, 1379 &ndash May 30 1416) was one of the chief followers and most devoted friends of John Joan of Arc (c 1412 Joan asserted that she had visions from God that told her to recover her homeland from English domination late in the Hundred Years' The Protestant Reformation was a reform movement in Europe that began in 1517 though its roots lie further back in time Dirk Willems (?? &ndash May 16 1569) was a martyred Anabaptist who is most famous for after his escape from prison turning around to rescue

iya

Modern Era—17th to 21st centuries

Feodosia Morozova, an Old Believer being arrested by Czarist authorities.
Feodosia Morozova, an Old Believer being arrested by Czarist authorities. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting Jan Jansz de Bakker van Woerden ( Johannes Pistorius Woerdensis) ( Woerden, Netherlands, 1499 - The Hague, Netherlands, 15 Felix Manz (c 1498 &ndash January 5 1527) was a co-founder of the original Swiss Brethren Anabaptist congregation in Zürich Patrick Hamilton ( 1504 - February 29, 1528) was a Scottish churchman and an early Protestant Reformer in Scotland Jörg vom Haus Jacob (Georg Cajacob or George of the House of Jacob commonly known as George Blaurock (c Sir Thomas More (7 February 1478 – 6 July 1535 from 1935 Saint Thomas More, was an English Lawyer, author and statesman who in his lifetime gained John Cardinal Fisher (c1469 &ndash 22 June, 1535) from 1935 Saint John Fisher, was an English Catholic bishop cardinal and Tyndale redirects here For the English family see Tyndall. For other uses see Tyndale (disambiguation. The Carthusian Martyrs were a group of monks of the London Charterhouse, the monastery of the Carthusian Order in central London who were put to death by the English state from According to Breton and French Catholic sources Saint Arthur (Arzur of Glastonbury (d Margaret Pole ( née Plantagenet) 8th Countess of Salisbury ( 14 August 1473 &ndash 27 May 1541) was an Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. New Mexico ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States of America. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. New Mexico ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States of America. Father Juan de Padilla (1500 &ndash 1542 born in Andalusia, was a Spanish Roman Catholic Missionary who spent much of his life exploring Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. New Mexico ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States of America. George Wishart (c 1513 &ndash 1 March 1546) was a Scottish religious reformer and Protestant Martyr. Latimer's belief in Christ's return Hugh Latimer said "It may come in my days old as I am or in my children's days the saints shall be taken up to meet Christ in the air Nicholas Ridley (died October 16, 1555) was an English Clergyman. Rowland Taylor ( October 6, 1510 - February 9, 1555) was an English martyr during the Marian Persecutions. John Hooper (c1495-1500 &ndash February 9, 1555) was an English churchman Bishop of Gloucester and Worcester. John Rogers (c 1505 &ndash 4 February 1555) was a minister, Bible translator and commentator and the first English Protestant William Hunter was a Marian martyr burnt to death in Brentwood at the age of 19 on March 27, 1555 on Ingrave Road Laurence Saunders (1500s - February 8, 1555) was the son of Thomas Saunders and Margaret Cave of Harrington, Northamptonshire, England Dirk Willems (?? &ndash May 16 1569) was a martyred Anabaptist who is most famous for after his escape from prison turning around to rescue Saint Edmund Campion SJ ( January 24 1540 &ndash December 1 1581) was an English Jesuit priest Blessed Margaret Ball (1515 &ndash 1584 was born Margaret Birmingham near Skryne in County Meath, and died of deprivation in the dungeons of Dublin The Forty Martyrs of England and Wales are a group of Christian martyrs who were canonized on 25 October 1970 by Pope Paul VI to represent the The term modern period or modern era (sometimes also modern times) is the period of history that followed the Middle Ages between c Feodosia Prokopiyevna Morozova (Феодосия Прокофьевна Морозова in Russian) (1632-1675 was one of the most well-known partisans of the Old Introductory summary of origins In 1652 Nikon (1605 – 1681 Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church from 1652 to 1658 introduced a number of ritual and textual
An illustration depicts the brutal death of Father Luís Jayme by the hands of angry natives at Mission San Diego de Alcalá in Alta California, November 4, 1775.
An illustration depicts the brutal death of Father Luís Jayme by the hands of angry natives at Mission San Diego de Alcalá in Alta California, November 4, 1775. Luís Jayme, OFM (born Melchor Jayme October 18, 1740; died November 4, 1775) was a Spanish -born Roman Catholic Mission San Diego de Alcalá, also known as the San Diego Mission Church, was founded on July 16, 1769, the first in the twenty-one Alta California Alta California (Upper California was formed in 1804 when the Province of the Californias, then a part of the Commandancy General of the Provincias Internas in the

See also

References

  1. ^ Twentieth Century Atlas - Historical Body Count p.2
  2. ^ Stauffer, Ethelbert. "Täufertum und Märtyrertheologie" (in German). Zeitschrift fur Kirchengeschichte year=1933: 545-98.  
  3. ^ Stauffer, Ethelbert (1945). "The Anabaptist Theology of Martyrdom"". MQR XIX: 179-214.  
  4. ^ Salisbury, Joyce EllenThe Blood of Martyrs: Unintended Consequences of Ancient Violence 2004 Routledge, ISBN 0-415-94129-6

External links

Sources


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