Introduction to Christian Martyrs
Define the word ‘martyr’: A martyr is a person who is killed because of their religious or other beliefs. Majority of Early Christians were persecuted or martyred because of their practices or preaching of their religious beliefs. The word 'Martyr' is developed from the Greek word, 'matur' meaning witness.
Define the word ‘persecution’: Persecution is a synonym for hostility and ill-treatment which is inflicted because of race, political or religious beliefs.
Briefly describe how early Christians were persecuted: As a form of persecution, Early Christians were stoned, beaten, harassed, abused, robbed and imprisoned in Early Christian Communities as they were seen as different and threatening to other religions and their beliefs. Many Christians were persecuted during the Roman Empire - a period over 3 centuries. In the 4th Century, there was a public persecution of Christians which is now known as The Great Persecution which lasted for 8 years. The aim of the Great Persecution was to turn the Christians back to Paganism and the Old Roman Religion. The result of the Great Persecution was that the Christian Church buildings were destroyed along with their scriptures and Christians themselves.
Explain why early Christians were persecuted: Early Christians or Gentiles were persecuted for having different beliefs, morals and lifestyles to the Jews and Romans. Christians had different beliefs to the dominating religions at the time and the Romans thought they were dangerous to the welfare and stability of the Empire. Persecution strongly shaped the Christian Church and Christian beliefs we have today. The persecutions of Christians were carried out until 313 AD, when Christianity became legal to the public. Christians secretly practiced their religion since their beliefs and practices were misunderstood which then raised suspicion in the public. Christians were rumoured to be cannibals since they were eating the 'blood and body of Christ'.
Define the word ‘martyr’: A martyr is a person who is killed because of their religious or other beliefs. Majority of Early Christians were persecuted or martyred because of their practices or preaching of their religious beliefs. The word 'Martyr' is developed from the Greek word, 'matur' meaning witness.
Define the word ‘persecution’: Persecution is a synonym for hostility and ill-treatment which is inflicted because of race, political or religious beliefs.
Briefly describe how early Christians were persecuted: As a form of persecution, Early Christians were stoned, beaten, harassed, abused, robbed and imprisoned in Early Christian Communities as they were seen as different and threatening to other religions and their beliefs. Many Christians were persecuted during the Roman Empire - a period over 3 centuries. In the 4th Century, there was a public persecution of Christians which is now known as The Great Persecution which lasted for 8 years. The aim of the Great Persecution was to turn the Christians back to Paganism and the Old Roman Religion. The result of the Great Persecution was that the Christian Church buildings were destroyed along with their scriptures and Christians themselves.
Explain why early Christians were persecuted: Early Christians or Gentiles were persecuted for having different beliefs, morals and lifestyles to the Jews and Romans. Christians had different beliefs to the dominating religions at the time and the Romans thought they were dangerous to the welfare and stability of the Empire. Persecution strongly shaped the Christian Church and Christian beliefs we have today. The persecutions of Christians were carried out until 313 AD, when Christianity became legal to the public. Christians secretly practiced their religion since their beliefs and practices were misunderstood which then raised suspicion in the public. Christians were rumoured to be cannibals since they were eating the 'blood and body of Christ'.