The First Martyrs of the See of Rome
The First Martyrs of Rome stand out as powerful witnesses to the faith. Their stories, marked by unparalleled courage and horrific suffering, that developed against the backdrop of the Great Fire of Rome in 64AD.
This fire blazed for nine days, consuming vast sections of the city, by the time the fire was out, two-thirds of Rome lay in ruins.
Facing mounting public outrage and a desperate effort to deflect the blame onto someone, Emperor Nero needed a scapegoat, someone to hold responsible. He found one in the ever increasing Christian community, a relatively new and misunderstood religious group in Rome. Christians were already viewed with suspicion due to their refusal to participate in the traditional Roman practices at the time. Christians were arrested en masse, subjected to public scorn, and condemned to die gruesome deaths.
The methods of execution were designed not only to kill, but to inflict maximum amount of terror and humiliation. Many were sewn into the skins of wild animals and thrown into a pack of wild dogs from them to eat. Others were crucified. Others again, were smeared with oil and wax, placed on stakes and set alight to serve as human torches in the streets and gardens.
The martyrdom of these early Christians had a great impact on the Roman world.
The steadfastness and faith of the martyrs in the face of such extreme persecution served as a powerful testimony to the truth of their beliefs. Their willingness to endure unimaginable suffering rather than renounce their faith, helped others to embrace and join the Christian community.
The memory of the First Martyrs of Rome inspired and strengthened Christianity. Their sacrifice laid a foundation for growth in the Church, which would ultimately spread throughout of the whole Roman Empire and beyond.
Their legacy is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of faith and prayer in the face of such evil.
As we ponder these unnamed heroes, we continue to look up to Saints Peter and Paul whose feast day was yesterday, Martyrs of the faith. Let them be our inspiration to follow them, in the footsteps of Christ Jesus, with zeal for spreading the Gospel message to the people of our world today.
Rev. Fr Philip Wrigley's Blog 