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| Carthage Amphitheatre today |
Most people do not realize that North Africa was once a great heartland of the Christian faith. The nation we know today as modern Tunisia (the Romans called it “Africa” or “Numidia”) was once homeland to Ss. Cyprian, Tertullian, and Augustine, each of which shaped the Christian church greatly through their theology and writings. But Tunisia was also home to two of the church’s earliest and well-known martyrs Perpetua and Felicity. Their story of standing up and standing in their faith under fearsome pressure has nourished generations of Christians but I think is relevant to all people of goodwill who believe in freedom of conscience and freedom of religion.
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| Christian martyrs suffered very publicly |
In today’s world we tend to look at people willing to die for what they believe as fanatical or extremist. I think this is colored in part what we see going on in the Muslim world where people act as suicide bombers seeking to call attention to injustices (perceived at least) done against their faith by the societies of the west. They are regarded among themselves as martyrs, but from the Christian perspective this would not be so. True martyrdom is when your life is taken from you by another (a leader, a state, etc) because you are unwilling to comply with their wishes to renounce or change your faith. To take your own life is plainly just suicide. To take your own life while killing others is considered a murder/suicide neither of which comes even close to martyrdom.
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| Ss. Perpetua and Felicity were African |
How did the early Christians look at martyrdom? First of all, they considered it the ultimate act of discipleship. Jesus died a cruel death at the hands of the Romans and to die in a similar fashion was to imitate Christ fully. They also didn’t see bodily pain as the ultimate evil. Justin Martyr the famous Christian apologist who was to die as a martyr in Ephesus wrote “you Romans can kill us but you will never hurt us.” They viewed martyrdom it as a public sealing of their testimony and faith. Most Christian martyrs died as part of public events (such as gladiatorial games or horse racing) with hundreds and sometimes multiple thousands present. It was an opportunity to show their non-Christian citizens just how important Jesus really is. Finally they believed a martyr’s death brought a special reward (and no, it wasn’t a bunch of virgins!). One bishop who was being brought to Rome to be fed to the lions wrote to the Church of Rome not to use their influence to save his life and thus rob him of his reward and quick passage to be with Jesus in heaven.
So why did the Roman State so actively persecute Christians in light of the fact that they were generally tolerant of all religions? In a nutshell, all other religions were polytheistic meaning multiple gods are worshipped. This meant when the Roman state demanded participation in their civil religion of worshipping the emperor, it was not much of a problem because their citizens just added yet another god to the list. In the case of the Jews and Christians, this was not possible. There is only one God and He demands exclusive worship and allegiance.
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| Romans offering incense worship to emperor |
Jews were persecuted but not to the extent that the Christians were. Their religion was very old and the Romans at respected anything that was really old. Therefore they didn’t demand Jews sacrifice to the emperor, but instead required the Jews to offer prayers for and sacrifices on behalf of the emperor. On the other hand, Christians called Jesus Christ their Lord which is what the Romans called Caesar. Christians couldn’t and wouldn’t say Caesar is Lord which was considered civil disobedience and civil disobedience was tantamount to chaos and chaos, to the mind of the Roman emperor, was an intolerable state.
Therefore it became the common practice cruel punishments were inflicted by the state to intimidate the faint-hearted back in to obedience, and to show those faithful to Christ over Caesar that Caesar is lord and master over their lives. Do disobey the will of the state in this matter meant death. This is what happened in the case of Perpetua and Felicity, the martyrs of Carthage.
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| Perpetua was a young mother preparing for Christian baptism |
Here’s what we know about this story. Perpetua was a free woman (possibly age 22) and Roman citizen, she had married well but was recently widowed and was the mother of an infant. While Perpetua’s father was a pagan, her mother and two brothers were Christians. Felicity was a female household slave belonging to Perpetua, pregnant and near her due date. She too was a Christian believer. These two and three other men named Revocatus, Saturninus, and Secundulis, were all catechumens which meant they were studying with a church leader in preparation for baptism. They all lived in Carthage which was a booming metropolis in the Roman Empire, well- known for its trade and military strength around the ancient world.
It is the year 203 AD which was the time of the 5th Roman persecution of the Church. Septimus Severus was the emperor at the time and initially had been lenient and sometimes favorable towards Christians. But political and public pressure on him brought a change of heart and under his rule it was illegal for a Roman to convert to Christianity under pain of death.
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| Septimus Severus |
Christians obviously met and held classes discreetly in such times, but someone found them out and had them arrested. After the arrest, their instructor Saterus who was not caught turned himself in to the authorities. As their father according to the faith, he believes it to be his sacred obligation to share in whatever fate befalls his students.
The account we have of this event was written down by Perpetua herself and then an unknown correspondent who witnesses her death is added. That we have this is not unusual. Martyr accounts were common literature in the Early Church and were read and circulated among congregations to strengthen the faithful.
Perpetua:
"While I was still with my companions, and my father in his affection for me was trying to turn me from my purpose by arguments and so weaken my faith, 'Father,' said I, 'do you see this vessel—water pot or whatever it may be? . . . Can it be called by any other name than what it is?" No,' he replied. 'So also I cannot call myself by any other name than what I am—a Christian.' Then my father, provoked by the word 'Christian,' threw himself on me as if he would pluck out my eyes, but he only shook me, and in fact was vanquished.... Then I thanked God for the relief of being, for a few days, parted from my father . . . and during those few days we were baptized. The Holy Spirit bade me after the holy rite to pray for nothing but bodily endurance.”
Please note everything in literature is there for a
purpose. Perpetua is telling us of her
first victory. She was able to stand for
Christ in the face of great pressure from her father to renounce him. In Roman society the power of a father over
his daughter was absolute. Perpetua
disregarding her father’s wishes that she would unconvert and save her own life
is a major thing.
Perpetua continues:
"A few days later we were lodged in the prison, and I was much frightened, because I had never known such darkness. What a day of horror! Terrible heat, owing to the crowds! Rough treatment by the soldiers! To crown all I was tormented with anxiety for my baby. But Tertius and Pomponius, those blessed deacons who ministered to us, paid for us to be moved for a few hours to a better part of the prison and we obtained some relief. All went out of the prison and we were left to ourselves. My baby was brought and I nursed him, for already he was faint for want of food. I spoke anxiously to my mother on his behalf and encouraged my brother and commended my son to their care. For I was concerned when I saw their concern for me. For many days I suffered such anxieties, but I obtained leave for my child to remain in the prison with me, and when relieved of my trouble and distress for him, I quickly recovered my health. My prison suddenly became a palace to me and I would rather have been there than anywhere else.”
At this point Perpetua’s brother tells her to pray for a vision from God as to the outcome of her situation and whether she is to suffer or be released. For the sake of brevity I will summarize her vision which was of a golden ladder reaching to heaven and on every rung are hanging gladiator weapons. She takes this to mean she will enter glory but through the suffering of the arena. From this point forward Perpetua tells us she abandons all hope for this world and looks to joining Christ.
Perpetua tells us of a second visit by her father prior to her trial:
“My father arrived from the city, worn with anxiety, and came up the hill hoping still to weaken my resolution. 'Daughter,' he said, 'pity my white hairs! Pity your father, if I deserve you should call me father, if I have brought you up to this your prime of life, if I have loved you more than your brothers! Make me not a reproach to mankind! Look on your mother and your mother's sister, look on your son who cannot live after you are gone. Forget your pride; do not make us all wretched! None of us will ever speak freely again if calamity strikes you.' So spoke my father in his love for me, kissing my hands and casting himself at my feet, and with tears calling me by the title not of 'daughter' but of 'lady.' And I grieved for my father's sake, because he alone of all my kindred would not have joy at my martyrdom. And I tried to comfort him, saying, 'What takes place on that platform will be as God shall choose, for assuredly we are not in our own power but in the power of God.' But he departed full of grief.”
Once again, another victory of the spirit for Perpetua known as total resignation to the will of God as Christ had in the Garden of Gethsemane.
"The following day, while we were at our dinner, we were suddenly summoned to be examined and went to the forum. The news of the trial spread fast and brought a huge crowd together in the forum. We were placed on a sort of platform before the judge, who was Hilarion, procurator of the province, since the proconsul had lately died. The others were questioned before me and confessed their faith. But when it came to my turn, my father appeared with my child, and drawing me down the steps besought me, 'Have pity on the child.' The judge Hilarion joined with my father and said: 'Spare your father's white hairs. Spare the tender years of your child. Offer sacrifice for the prosperity of the emperors.' I replied, 'No." Are you a Christian?' asked Hilarion, and I answered, 'Yes, I am.' My father then attempted to drag me down from the platform, at which Hilarion commanded that he should be thrown off. The judge then passed sentence on us all and condemned us to the wild beasts, and in great joy we returned to our prison. Then, as my baby was accustomed to the breast, I sent Pomponius the deacon to ask him of my father, who, however, refused to send him. And God so ordered it that the child no longer needed to nurse, nor did my milk incommode me."
Another victory for Perpetua which is freedom from anxiety about the future of her child.
Perpetua tells of the others fates. One dies before the trial, the remaining men were scourged and she and Felicity are beaten on the face. They are then told they will be part of the entertainment for a gladiator show done on behalf of the local soldiers in a couple of weeks.
The remainder of the story was added by another hand, apparently that of an eyewitness.
Felicity had feared that she might not be allowed to suffer with the rest because pregnant women were not sent into the arena. However, she gave birth in the prison to a daughter whom one of their fellow Christians at once adopted. Pudens, their jailer, was by this time a convert, and did all he could for them. The day before the games they were given the usual last meal, which was called "the free banquet." The martyrs strove to make it an Agape or Love Feast, and to those who crowded around them they spoke of the judgments of God and of their own joy in their sufferings. Such calm courage and confidence astonished the pagans and brought about many conversions.
On the day of their martyrdom they set forth from the prison. Behind the men walked the young noblewoman Perpetua, "abashing the gaze of all with the high spirit in her eyes," and beside her the slave Felicity. At the gates of the amphitheater the attendants tried to force the men to put on the robes of the priests of Saturn and the women the dress symbolic of the goddess Ceres, but they all resisted and the officer allowed them to enter the arena clad as they were. Perpetua was singing, while Revocatus, Saturninus, and Saturus were calling out warnings to the bystanders and even to Hilarion himself, as they walked beneath his balcony, of the coming vengeance of God. The mob cried out that they should be scourged for their boldness.
To each one God granted the form of martyrdom he desired. Saturus had hoped to be exposed to several sorts of beasts, that his sufferings might be intensified. He and Revocatus were first attacked half-heartedly by a leopard. Saturus was next exposed to a wild boar which turned on his keeper instead. He was then tied up on the bridge in front of a bear, but the animal refused to stir out of his den, and Saturus was reserved for one more encounter. The delay gave him an opportunity to turn and speak to the converted jailer Pudens: "You see that what I desired and foretold has come to pass. Not a beast has touched me! So believe steadfastly in Christ. And see now, I go forth yonder and with one bite from a leopard all will be over." As he had foretold, a leopard was now let out, sprang upon him, and in a moment he was fatally wounded.
Perpetua and Felicity were exposed to a mad heifer. Perpetua was tossed first and fell on her back, but raised herself and gathered her torn tunic modestly about her; then, after fastening up her hair, lest she look as if she were in mourning, she rose and went to help Felicity, who had been badly hurt by the animal. Side by side they stood, expecting another assault, but the sated audience cried out that it was enough. They were therefore led to the gate Sanevivaria, where victims who had not been killed in the arena were dispatched by gladiators. Here Perpetua seemed to arouse herself from an ecstasy and could not believe that she had already been exposed to a mad heifer until she saw the marks of her injuries. She then called out to her brother and to the catechumen: "Stand fast in the faith, and love one another. Do not let our sufferings be a stumbling block to you."
By this time the fickle populace was clamoring for the women to come back into the open. This they did willingly, and after giving each other the kiss of peace, they were killed by the gladiators. Perpetua had to guide the sword of the nervous executioner to her throat because he had been so uptight about doing this deed he didn’t take her life swiftly but instead stabbed her superficially which left Perpetua in pain but still very much alive. Another victory for Perpetua—over the fear of physical death.
So ends one of the most well-known martyr accounts in the Christian world. To say well-known is almost an understatement. Perpetua and Felicity are considered saints and are celebrated not only in the Catholic and Greek Orthodox faith, but are also celebrated by the Lutheran, Anglican, and Episcopal churches as well.
Precious in the sight of God is the death of his holy ones.
If you happen to visit Tunis/Carthage (it is a popular stop on many Mediterranean cruises) you may visit the site of Perpetua and Felicity’s martyrdom at the Roman Amphitheatre of Carthage. It is off Route La Goulette and is open daily from 8:30- 5PM. There is an admission fee to this site which allows you to visit several other sites of archeological interest nearby. Also, close to the Roman amphitheatre is the charming village Sidi Bou Said, a popular stop for tourists with gorgeous views of the Mediterranean.
Perpetua continues:
"A few days later we were lodged in the prison, and I was much frightened, because I had never known such darkness. What a day of horror! Terrible heat, owing to the crowds! Rough treatment by the soldiers! To crown all I was tormented with anxiety for my baby. But Tertius and Pomponius, those blessed deacons who ministered to us, paid for us to be moved for a few hours to a better part of the prison and we obtained some relief. All went out of the prison and we were left to ourselves. My baby was brought and I nursed him, for already he was faint for want of food. I spoke anxiously to my mother on his behalf and encouraged my brother and commended my son to their care. For I was concerned when I saw their concern for me. For many days I suffered such anxieties, but I obtained leave for my child to remain in the prison with me, and when relieved of my trouble and distress for him, I quickly recovered my health. My prison suddenly became a palace to me and I would rather have been there than anywhere else.”
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| Cell of Perpetua and Felicity |
At this point Perpetua’s brother tells her to pray for a vision from God as to the outcome of her situation and whether she is to suffer or be released. For the sake of brevity I will summarize her vision which was of a golden ladder reaching to heaven and on every rung are hanging gladiator weapons. She takes this to mean she will enter glory but through the suffering of the arena. From this point forward Perpetua tells us she abandons all hope for this world and looks to joining Christ.
Perpetua tells us of a second visit by her father prior to her trial:
“My father arrived from the city, worn with anxiety, and came up the hill hoping still to weaken my resolution. 'Daughter,' he said, 'pity my white hairs! Pity your father, if I deserve you should call me father, if I have brought you up to this your prime of life, if I have loved you more than your brothers! Make me not a reproach to mankind! Look on your mother and your mother's sister, look on your son who cannot live after you are gone. Forget your pride; do not make us all wretched! None of us will ever speak freely again if calamity strikes you.' So spoke my father in his love for me, kissing my hands and casting himself at my feet, and with tears calling me by the title not of 'daughter' but of 'lady.' And I grieved for my father's sake, because he alone of all my kindred would not have joy at my martyrdom. And I tried to comfort him, saying, 'What takes place on that platform will be as God shall choose, for assuredly we are not in our own power but in the power of God.' But he departed full of grief.”
Once again, another victory of the spirit for Perpetua known as total resignation to the will of God as Christ had in the Garden of Gethsemane.
"The following day, while we were at our dinner, we were suddenly summoned to be examined and went to the forum. The news of the trial spread fast and brought a huge crowd together in the forum. We were placed on a sort of platform before the judge, who was Hilarion, procurator of the province, since the proconsul had lately died. The others were questioned before me and confessed their faith. But when it came to my turn, my father appeared with my child, and drawing me down the steps besought me, 'Have pity on the child.' The judge Hilarion joined with my father and said: 'Spare your father's white hairs. Spare the tender years of your child. Offer sacrifice for the prosperity of the emperors.' I replied, 'No." Are you a Christian?' asked Hilarion, and I answered, 'Yes, I am.' My father then attempted to drag me down from the platform, at which Hilarion commanded that he should be thrown off. The judge then passed sentence on us all and condemned us to the wild beasts, and in great joy we returned to our prison. Then, as my baby was accustomed to the breast, I sent Pomponius the deacon to ask him of my father, who, however, refused to send him. And God so ordered it that the child no longer needed to nurse, nor did my milk incommode me."
Another victory for Perpetua which is freedom from anxiety about the future of her child.
Perpetua tells of the others fates. One dies before the trial, the remaining men were scourged and she and Felicity are beaten on the face. They are then told they will be part of the entertainment for a gladiator show done on behalf of the local soldiers in a couple of weeks.
The remainder of the story was added by another hand, apparently that of an eyewitness.
Felicity had feared that she might not be allowed to suffer with the rest because pregnant women were not sent into the arena. However, she gave birth in the prison to a daughter whom one of their fellow Christians at once adopted. Pudens, their jailer, was by this time a convert, and did all he could for them. The day before the games they were given the usual last meal, which was called "the free banquet." The martyrs strove to make it an Agape or Love Feast, and to those who crowded around them they spoke of the judgments of God and of their own joy in their sufferings. Such calm courage and confidence astonished the pagans and brought about many conversions.
On the day of their martyrdom they set forth from the prison. Behind the men walked the young noblewoman Perpetua, "abashing the gaze of all with the high spirit in her eyes," and beside her the slave Felicity. At the gates of the amphitheater the attendants tried to force the men to put on the robes of the priests of Saturn and the women the dress symbolic of the goddess Ceres, but they all resisted and the officer allowed them to enter the arena clad as they were. Perpetua was singing, while Revocatus, Saturninus, and Saturus were calling out warnings to the bystanders and even to Hilarion himself, as they walked beneath his balcony, of the coming vengeance of God. The mob cried out that they should be scourged for their boldness.
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| Mosaic in Carthage of Leopard attack in Arena |
To each one God granted the form of martyrdom he desired. Saturus had hoped to be exposed to several sorts of beasts, that his sufferings might be intensified. He and Revocatus were first attacked half-heartedly by a leopard. Saturus was next exposed to a wild boar which turned on his keeper instead. He was then tied up on the bridge in front of a bear, but the animal refused to stir out of his den, and Saturus was reserved for one more encounter. The delay gave him an opportunity to turn and speak to the converted jailer Pudens: "You see that what I desired and foretold has come to pass. Not a beast has touched me! So believe steadfastly in Christ. And see now, I go forth yonder and with one bite from a leopard all will be over." As he had foretold, a leopard was now let out, sprang upon him, and in a moment he was fatally wounded.
Perpetua and Felicity were exposed to a mad heifer. Perpetua was tossed first and fell on her back, but raised herself and gathered her torn tunic modestly about her; then, after fastening up her hair, lest she look as if she were in mourning, she rose and went to help Felicity, who had been badly hurt by the animal. Side by side they stood, expecting another assault, but the sated audience cried out that it was enough. They were therefore led to the gate Sanevivaria, where victims who had not been killed in the arena were dispatched by gladiators. Here Perpetua seemed to arouse herself from an ecstasy and could not believe that she had already been exposed to a mad heifer until she saw the marks of her injuries. She then called out to her brother and to the catechumen: "Stand fast in the faith, and love one another. Do not let our sufferings be a stumbling block to you."
By this time the fickle populace was clamoring for the women to come back into the open. This they did willingly, and after giving each other the kiss of peace, they were killed by the gladiators. Perpetua had to guide the sword of the nervous executioner to her throat because he had been so uptight about doing this deed he didn’t take her life swiftly but instead stabbed her superficially which left Perpetua in pain but still very much alive. Another victory for Perpetua—over the fear of physical death.
So ends one of the most well-known martyr accounts in the Christian world. To say well-known is almost an understatement. Perpetua and Felicity are considered saints and are celebrated not only in the Catholic and Greek Orthodox faith, but are also celebrated by the Lutheran, Anglican, and Episcopal churches as well.
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| Perpetua helps gladiator finish her off |
Precious in the sight of God is the death of his holy ones.
If you happen to visit Tunis/Carthage (it is a popular stop on many Mediterranean cruises) you may visit the site of Perpetua and Felicity’s martyrdom at the Roman Amphitheatre of Carthage. It is off Route La Goulette and is open daily from 8:30- 5PM. There is an admission fee to this site which allows you to visit several other sites of archeological interest nearby. Also, close to the Roman amphitheatre is the charming village Sidi Bou Said, a popular stop for tourists with gorgeous views of the Mediterranean.
