Contemporary historians have problems with the accounts of early martyrs of the Roman church like Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia, Sebastian, Lawrence, John and Paul– all honored in the Roman liturgy and commemorated in ancient churches throughout the city. We’re celebrating Sebastian, January 20, and Agnes, January 21, this month .
Our age wants facts, real evidence, so are the accounts of these early saints true? One thing I find helpful when considering the early accounts of the Christian martyrs is to remember that Emperor Diocletian, who unleashed the last and greatest persecution of Christianity, wanted to completely obliterate Christianity throughout the Roman empire. Not only did he put many Christians to death, but also tried to destroy all their written records, scriptures, places where they prayed. He wanted no record of their heroes, their saints and martyrs left. The emperor succeeded in destroying most of the records kept by the church of Rome.
Stories about the Roman saints were then reconstructed by Christians after the persecutions, and these accounts, instead of looking like court records–a form they often took before– appeared as embellished legends.
Their stories, though embellished, are basically true. They were Christians who believed so strongly in Jesus Christ that they died for their belief. Not only popes, like Fabian, deacons like Lawrence, but young girls like Agnes, women like Cecilia, soldiers like Sebastian witnessed to their faith by dying for it.
The historian Peter Brown, in one of his brilliant books on early Christianity, offers an important insight into the martyrs. The Romans were not impressed so much by the bravery of these Christian martyrs–the Romans prided themselves for their ability to die bravely. Rather, they marveled at the vision of another world they saw them professing as they died. They believed that world was far more glorious than this one, and Jesus Christ was their Lord and Savior, calling them on.
The legends of martyrs like Agnes, who dies surrounded by heavenly visions and miraculous signs, shows us a heavenly world already revealed now in this one. Do they help us look ahead? I think so.
Take a look at the video on Saint Sebastian, above.
The Victor's Place 
The martyrs heavenly visions before dying remind me of the first martyr,
St. Stephen’s words he was being stoned to death. December 26 has always been significant for me since I was young and first read about
St. Stephen. Facts would be good to have, I suppose, but I agree that the most important thing is their belief that were going to eternal life with God.
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You are right on with this insight, Gloria. Christian martyrs have a belief in a world beyond.
FV
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There’s a statue of St. Fabian at St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome.
He is seated with a book on his knee, his right elbow resting on it and his hand holding his head tilted right. Looks like he’s been burning the midnight oil studying and perhaps he is suffering a migraine!
He set a courageous example for his followers, many of whom suffered great torment in Diocletian’s persecution. Fragments of Fabian’s tombstone still exist, with his name and the words “bishop” and “martyr” still dimly visible.
Collect of the Day: Fabian, Bishop of Rome and Martyr, 250
Grant, Almighty God, that in all times of trial and persecution, we might remain steadfast in faith and endurance, according to the example of your servant Fabian, who was faithful even unto death. We ask this for the sake of him who laid down his life for us all, Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Correction please…St. Fabian suffered persecution under Emperor Decius NOT Diocletian. He was Bishop/Martyr of Rome in 250AD.
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