THE ACTS OF SS. JUSTIN & HIS COMPANIONS

(A.D. 165)

S. Justin was a Greek by birth, a native of Neapolis, in Palestine, now  Nablous, near the site of Biblical Shechem. He went the round of several philosophies, applying first to a Stoic, who declared that a knowledge of God was unnecessary, then to a peripatetic who was so greedy for fees that Justin doubted his being a philosopher all, then to Pythagorean, whose demand that he should first know music, astronomy, and geometry before beginning philosophy was too much for him, and finally to a Platonist, whose pupil he became. He had happened to be present at several martyrdoms, and been much moved. he then met a “mysterious old man” who “led him from Plato to the prophets, from the metaphysics to faith in Christ”, and was converted about A.D.133. Afterwards he came to Rome, and wrote a great deal on philosophical questions, and against heathen beliefs and Christian heresies. He still lived the philosophic life, wearing the characteristic short cloak, and acting in Eusebiusís phrase (Hist. Eccl. iv. II, 8) as “an ambassador of the Divine word in the guise of a philosopher”. The only extant works of his which are certainly genuine are his two Apologies, of which the so-called “Second” is probably (v. Duchense, Early Hist. of the Chr. Ch., Engl. trans., p. 152) only an appendix to the first, addressed to the Emperor Antonious Augustus (Pius), to the princes M. Aurelius and Lucius Verus, to the Senate, and to the Roman people, “on behalf of those whom the whole race hates and persecutes”; and the Dialogue with Trypho, in which he repeats, no doubt with the amplifications, his dialogue with a Jew of that name twenty years before (c. A.D.135) at Ephesus.

            Just before his martyrdom in A.D.165 he engaged in a public disputation with the Cynic, Crescens, and got the better of him. But Crescens, as Duchesne says, “had other weapons at his command”, and worked, and with success, for his death. He was martyred in A.D.165 with one woman, Charito, and five men, one of them, Euelpistus, a Cappadocian, a slave of the imperial house, another Paeon, a bystander at the trial who volunteered his confession, “a motley crew” as Duchesne says, and pathetically characteristic of the universal appeal made by Christianity.

            One of the most striking elements in his teaching is that the Divine Logos taught “not only the Jewish Patriarchs, but those Greek philosophers who lived according to reason” (Foakes Jackson, Hist of the Chr.Ch., 

p.159). His style is often crabbed and obscure (e.g. Apol.(I),ch. xv. 5;ch xxiii.3). It is, to my mind, one of the striking evidences of the authenticity of these Acts, that though too simple to be obscure, there is in Justin’s answers a touch of precision, what one might call “donnishness”, eminently characteristic of the philosopher. This note is found in such sentences as, “To obey the commands of our Savior Jesus Christ is not worthy of blame or condemnation”(ch.ii); (“what doctrines do you hold?”) “I have endeavored to make myself acquainted with all doctrines, but I have given my assent to the true doctrines of Christians”(ib.); “yes, for the belief in accordance with which I follow them is right”(ib.). Another point in which the Acts resemble the Apology is the insistence on the proof of the truth of Christianity from prophecy (Acts ii, Apol.(I),xxx foll.). And the noble and simple fortitude of Justin’s answers in the fifth chapter of the Acts can be paralleled by passages in the Apology, such as that sentence which closes the second chapter: “You can kill, but you cannot harm us.”

                                                            Text from KNOFF

 

 

I. IN the time of the wicked defenders of idolatry impious decrees were issued in town and country against the pious Christian folk to compel them to offer libations to vain idols. So the saints were seized and brought before the perfect of Rome, by the name Rusticus.

  II. When they were brought before the Judgment seat, Rusticus the perfect said to Justin: “First of all obey the gods, and make submission to the Princes.”

  Justin said: “To obey the commands of our Savior Jesus Christ is not worth of blame or condemnation.”

  The perfect Rustuicus said: “What doctrines do you hold?”

  Justin said: “I have endeavored to make myself acquainted with all doctrines, but I will give my assent to the true doctrines of Christians, whether they please the holders of false beliefs or no.”

  The perfect Rusticus said: “Do those doctrines please you, miserable man?”

  Justin said: “Yes, for the belief in accordance with which I follow them is right.”

  The perfect Rusticus said: “What belief do you mean?”

  Justin said: “That which we religiously profess concerning the God of Christians, in whom we believe, one God, existing from the beginning, Maker and Artificer of the whole creation, seen and unseen; and concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who hath also been proclaimed aforetime by the prophets as about to come to the race of men for herald of salvation and for master of true disciples. And I, being a man, regard what I say to be of little worth in comparison of His Infinite God-head, but there is a power in prophecy, and that I acknowledge; therein hath proclamation been made aforetime of Him of whom I just spoke as the Son of God. For I know that from the beginning the prophets foretold His coming among men.”

  III. The perfect Rusticus said: “Where do ye meet together?”

  Justin said: “Where each wills and can. Do you really think that we all meet in the same place? Not so; for the God of the Christians is not confined by place, but being unseen fills heaven and earth, and is worshipped and glorified by the faithful everywhere.”

  The perfect Rusticus said: “Tell me, where do ye meet, or in what place do you gather your disciples?”

  Justin said: “I lodge above in the house of Martin, near the baths of Timothy, and during all this time (this is my second visit to Rome) I have known no other place of meeting but his house. And if any wished to come to me, I parted to him the word of truth.” 

  Rusticus said: “To come to the point then, are you a Christian?”

  Justin said: “Yes, I am a Christian.”

  IV. The perfect Rusticus said to Chariton: “Tell me further Chariton, are you also a Christian?”

  Chariton said: “I am a Christian by God’s command.”

  The perfect Rusticus said to Charito: “What do you say, Charito?”

  Charito said: “I am a Christian by Godís gift.”

  Rusticus said to Euelpistus: “And what are you?”

  Euelpistus, a slave of Caesar, answered: “I am also a Christian, freed by Christ, and share by the grace of Christ in the same hope.”

  The perfect Rusticus said to Hierax: “Are you also a Christian?”

  Hierex said: “Yes, I am a Christian, for I worship and adore the same God.”

  The perfect Rusticus said: “Did Justin make you Christians?”

  Hierex said: “I was, and shall ever be, a Christian.”

  A man called Paeon stood up and said: “I also am a Christian.”

  The perfect Rusticus said: “Who taught you?”

  Paeon said: “I received from my parents this good confession.”

  Euelpistus said: “I listened indeed gladly to the words of Justin, but I too received Christianity from my parents.”

  The perfect Rusticus said: “Where are your parents?”

  Euelpistus said: “In Cappadocia.”

  Rusticus said to Hierax: “Where are your parents?”

He answered, saying: “Our true father is Christ, and our mother our faith in Him. My earthly parents are dead, and I was dragged away from Iconium in Phrygia before coming hither.”

  The perfect Rusticus said to Liberian: “And what do you say? Are you an unbeliever like the rest?”

  Liberian said: “I also am a Christian; for I am a believer and adore the only true God.”

  V. The perfect said to Justin: “Listen, you that are said to be a learned man, and think that you are acquainted with the true doctrine, if you shall be scourged and beheaded, are you persuaded that you will ascend to heaven?”

  Justin said: “I hope that if I endure these things to have His gifts. For I know that for all who so lives there abides until the consummation of the whole world the free gift of God.”

  The perfect Rusticus said: “Do you then think that you will ascend to heaven, to receive certain rewards?”

  Justin said: “I do not think, I know and am fully persuaded.”

  The perfect Rusticus said: “Let us now come to the pressing matter in hand. Agree together and sacrifice with one accord to the gods.”

  Justin said; “No one who is rightly minded turns from true belief to false.”

  The perfect Rusticus said: “If ye do not obey, ye shall be punished without mercy.”

  Justin said: “If we are punished for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ we hope to be saved, for this shall be our salvation and confidence before the more terrible judgment-seat of our Lord and Savior which shall judge the whole world.”  So also said the other martyrs: “Do what you will. For we are Christians and offer no sacrifice to idols.”

  Rusticus the perfect gave sentence: “Let those who will not sacrifice to the gods and yield to the command of the Emperor to be scourged and led away to be beheaded in accordance with the laws.”

  VI. The holy martyrs went out glorifying God to the customary place and were beheaded, and fulfilled their testimony by the confession of their Savior. And some of the faithful took their bodies by stealth and laid them in a convenient place, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ working with them, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.