Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Christian religion developed rapidly in Rome and all over the world since the 1st century, owing to its being original and suitable for all mankind; but this was also due to the testimony of fervour, of brotherly love and of charity shown by the Christians towards everybody. The Roman authorities were at first indifferent to the new religion, yet very soon, incited also by the people showed themselves hostile to it, because the Christians refused to worship the ancient pagan deities of Rome, as well as the emperor. The Christians were accused of disloyalty to their fatherland, of atheism, of hatred towards mankind, of hidden crimes, such as incest, infanticide and ritual cannibalism; likewise they were held responsible for all natural calamities, such as plagues, floods, famines, etc.…
The Christian religion was proclaimed "strana et illicita - strange and unlawful" (Senatorial decree of the year 35); "exitialis - deadly"(Tacitus); "prava et immodica - wicked and unbridled" (Plinius); "nova et malefica - new and harmful" (Svetonius); "tenebrosa et lucifuga - mysterious and opposed to light" (from "Octavius" by Minucius); "detestabilis- hateful" (Tacitus); therefore it was outlawed and persecuted, because it was considered the most dangerous enemy of the power of Rome, which was based upon the ancient national religion and on the emperor's worship. In the first three centuries there were several persecutions and many Christians were martyred for their faith in Christ.
There occurred in Rome, a fact similar to the conversion of Christianity of King Clovis in 496 in Gaul. In 312 on the eve of a battle with his rival Maxentius for the throne of Rome at the Milvian Bridge over the River Tiber in 312, Constantine received a «sign» described by Eusebius of Caesarea in his “History of the Church”: «Constantine, resolved to adore the God of his father Constance, implored the protection of this God against Maxentius. And while he was thus praying with fervent entreaty, a most marvellous sign appeared to him from heaven, the account of which it might have been hard to believe had it been related by any other person. But since the victorious emperor himself long afterwards declared it to the writer of this history, when he was honoured with his acquaintance and society, and confirmed his statement by an oath, who could hesitate to accredit the relation, especially since the testimony of after-time has established its truth? He said that about noon, when the day was already beginning to decline, he saw with his own eyes the trophy of a cross of light in the heavens, above the sun, and bearing the inscription, CONQUER BY THIS. At this sight he himself was struck with amazement, and his whole army also, which followed him on this expedition, and witnessed the miracle. He said, moreover, that he doubted within himself what the import of this apparition could be. And while he continued to ponder and reason on its meaning, night suddenly came on; then in his sleep the Christ of God appeared to him with the same sign which he had seen in the heavens, and commanded him to make a likeness of that sign which he had seen in the heavens, and to use it as a safeguard in all engagements with his enemies. At dawn of day he arose, and communicated the marvel to his friends: and then, calling together the workers in gold and precious stones, he sat in the midst of them, and described to them the figure of the sign he had seen, bidding them represent it in gold and precious stones. And this representation I myself have had an opportunity of seeing». Constantine declared Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire with the Edict of Milan 313 and persecution ceased.
The early Christians faced persecution with courage, a very large percentage with heroism, but they did not submit to it without opposition. They defended themselves with great strength by confuting the accusations of those crimes as being false and groundless and by producing the contents of their faith (What we believe) and describing their identity (What we are).
In the "Apologies" ("defences"), prepared by the Christian writers of the time, and often addressed to the emperors, the Christians protested vigorously against their being condemned unjustly, without being known and without being convicted. According to the Apologies, the principle of the senatorial law "Non licet vos esse- you have no right to exist" is unjustifiable and unlawful, because Christians are honest citizens, respectful of laws, loyal to the emperor, hard-working and exemplary both in their private and public life...
They are men like others. They dwell on earth, but are citizens of heaven. When they are cursed, they bless. When they are insulted, they answer with kind words. They are in the world as the soul is in the body. The Christians pay homage to the emperor and pray for him. The life of Christians proves the greatness and beauty of their religion. Christians observe the divine laws.
They are kind and charitable. They live in justice and sanctity Christians are not useless and unproductive. These were some of the significant passages of various writings “From the Letter to Diognetus (apology by an unknown author of the 2nd C.). From the "Books to Autolicus" of S. Theophilus of Antioch, 2nd C. From the "Apology" by Aristides, 2nd C. From "The Apologeticus" of Tertullian, 2nd - 3rd C..
«Sanguis Martyrum, semen est Christianorum»: The Blood of Martyrs, the seed of Christians, irrigated the Roman Empire which had become Christian, nurturing the roots of the future nations of Europe which in turn embraced the Good News of Jesus Christ becoming Christian countries from where countless men and women missionaries set out to share the Good News with the whole world. (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 9/11/2006, righe 50, parole 707)
