LO 4: A sympathetic reading of Perpetua

This is an icon from the Fathers of the Church altar in Munich of St. Gregory the Great, who was the Pope of the Western Church from C.E. 590-604.  Pope Gregory I was highly regarded by clergy and laypeople alike, as he wisely and efficiently administered the church during a time of political and socio-economic stress in the city of Rome.  Pope Gregory wrote many letters, several of which have been preserved.  He is also credited for initializing the evangelisation of Britain, having sent a missionary contingent under the leadership of Augustine in C.E. 597.  

Pope Gregory is a figure in the church who is easy to admire; there are many more like him who dedicated their lives to furthering the message of the gospel and standing up for orthodoxy.  Many lost their lives for their faith in Christ, refusing to the very last to recant their testimony.  In a Western culture where little is demanded of believers, never mind their lives, this step of martyrdom can seem extreme, possibly even unbelievable.

The early church was marked by severe persecution, particularly under the reigns of several Roman emperors, who saw Christianity as a threat to the order of the Empire.  Septimius Severus, Emperor of Rome early in the third century, attempted to ensure calm in his domain by enforcing worship to the Unconquered Sun, a Roman mishmash of all religions and philosophies.  During this time, any who converted to Judaism or Christianity were told to recant at pain of death.

This is a mosaic from the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč, Croatia, of Perpetua, an early Christian martyr.  Perpetua had the opportunity to journal much of her martyrdom experience prior to her death early in the third century in the arena; this document was preserved and edited by an unknown party.  Perpetua's diary records the great challenges she faced because of her faith, including forsaking family (a young son and a loving father), wealth, and physical safety.  Although it seems difficult to comprehend to a contemporary reader, Perpetua's joyful example of martyrdom gives many pause to consider the source of her joy, something which she unrepentantly celebrated in the days preceding her death. Although Perpetua's attitude towards her earthly obligations could seem harsh and unappealing to a modern reader, the fact remains that her example served to encourage not only her contemporary readers, but many generations of persecuted Christians after her.

(Images found at http://www.traditioninaction.org/SOD/j120sdGregoryGreat_3-12.htm and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetua_and_Felicity)