The early church was one shaped by being a minority in the midst of the Roman Empire. While persecution was infrequent, the early Christians felt like a people that did not fit in with the surrounding culture. As such, this was a community that aimed to form a strong belief in their Christian faith.
This idea of solidifying an identity comes across in the most famous aspect of this period: martyrdom. Martyrs, those who were so secure in their Christian identity that they would die for it, were idols of early Christianity. The Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicity details the faith that these martyrs had. As Perpetua’s father is trying to dissuade her from her martyrdom, Perpetua states “So I am also unable to call myself anything except what I am, a Christian” (III, 2). For her, faith comes before all else, including family. Perpetua steps away from the predominantly patriarchal culture with this act, and truly places all her faith in God.
For the martyrs, their death for the faith was the most assured way to get to heaven. This idea can be found in literature from the time. A later quote from The Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicity details this point: “We had suffered and had passed out of the flesh [ . . . ] and having passed the first world, we saw a great list, and I said to Perpetua – for she was at my side: ‘This is what the Lord promised us: we have received the promise’” (XI, 2,4). Here, in a vision, a partner of Perpetua and Felicity views their quick arrival into heaven. For Christians, attaining salvation is the goal of the faith. Coupled with the necessity that martyrs would need a strong faith to go through with their demise, this advocates for a development of a very strong faith by the readers. Like the martyrs, all they want to do is get to heaven, so like the martyrs, the audience of this martyrdom account needs to have a strong faith.
As can be seen by the other parts of this section, the symbol of the anchor and the basilica of St. Paul Outside-The-Walls, these early Christian artifacts are geared toward developing stronger faith among the populace, whether by reinforcing values of a famous martyr, or by providing hope that the deceased’s faith has helped them attain salvation.
Photo Credit goes to www.liturgies.net
This idea of solidifying an identity comes across in the most famous aspect of this period: martyrdom. Martyrs, those who were so secure in their Christian identity that they would die for it, were idols of early Christianity. The Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicity details the faith that these martyrs had. As Perpetua’s father is trying to dissuade her from her martyrdom, Perpetua states “So I am also unable to call myself anything except what I am, a Christian” (III, 2). For her, faith comes before all else, including family. Perpetua steps away from the predominantly patriarchal culture with this act, and truly places all her faith in God.
For the martyrs, their death for the faith was the most assured way to get to heaven. This idea can be found in literature from the time. A later quote from The Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicity details this point: “We had suffered and had passed out of the flesh [ . . . ] and having passed the first world, we saw a great list, and I said to Perpetua – for she was at my side: ‘This is what the Lord promised us: we have received the promise’” (XI, 2,4). Here, in a vision, a partner of Perpetua and Felicity views their quick arrival into heaven. For Christians, attaining salvation is the goal of the faith. Coupled with the necessity that martyrs would need a strong faith to go through with their demise, this advocates for a development of a very strong faith by the readers. Like the martyrs, all they want to do is get to heaven, so like the martyrs, the audience of this martyrdom account needs to have a strong faith.
As can be seen by the other parts of this section, the symbol of the anchor and the basilica of St. Paul Outside-The-Walls, these early Christian artifacts are geared toward developing stronger faith among the populace, whether by reinforcing values of a famous martyr, or by providing hope that the deceased’s faith has helped them attain salvation.
Photo Credit goes to www.liturgies.net