Course 3, Chapter 12: Christianity established. — Fifth and sixth Persecutions. — Second Century

1. Which was the fifth general persecution?

The fifth general persecution was that of An toninus: this prince, given up to shameful vices, permitted a great number of Christians to be put to death, although he issued no new edicts against them. The principal victim of this persecution was a Roman matron, named Felicitas, together with her seven sons. Publius, the Roman prefect, caused this virtuous family to be apprehended; and not succeeding in making them renounce the faith, he put them to death by the most horrible torments.

2. What defender of the church did God raise up at this time?

God, who never fails to/-watch over his church, raised up for her a glorious defender. This was St. Justin, who refuted so effectually all the calumnies of the Jews and pagans against our holy religion, that the emperor put a stop to the persecution; but he died shortly after, and his successor renewed the war against the Christians.

Q Which was the sixth general persecution?

A. The sixth general persecution was that of Marzus Aurelius. The pride and craftiness of this prince were well fitted to make him an enemy of the truth. St. Justin, although he foresaw that it would cost him his life, addressed to the emperor a second apology; the saint was not mistaken, he was immediately beheaded.

3. Who were the other victims of this persecution?

There were a great many. The first was St. Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna. He was a disciple of St. John, with whom he had lived a long time; when the persecution commenced, his friends advised him to quit the city; he yielded to their counsel, and retired to a house a short 'distance in the country.

4. What happened to him?

He was soon discovered and apprehended; to the officers who came to seize him, he gave both food and drink; they carried him to Smyrna, and conducted him to the amphitheatre into the presence of the proconsul.

5. What did the pro-consul say to him?

The pro-consul said to him, "Blaspheme Jesus Christ." Polycarp made this beautiful reply: "It is now eighty-six years that I serve him, he has never done me any harm; on the contrary, he ^has loaded me with favors; how can I blaspheme my King ana my Saviour V "

6. What did the pro-consul then do?

The pro-consul ordered him to be burnt alive; but the flames did him no harm; on the contrary, they separated, forming a bow, and resembling the sail of a vessel distended by the wind, they extended over his head a beautiful arch which protected him. The proconsul seeing this miracle, ordered him to be struck with a dagger; the blood gushed out in such a quantitv, that it extinguished the fire. It was thus St.

272 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

Polycarp crowned his sacrifice on the 25th of April, it 2 o'clock in the evening, in the 166th year pfter Christ.