Martyrdom in Christianity

Paper Summary:

The discussion centers on the concept of martyrdom as illustrated in the lives of people who were persecuted as a result of their courage and belief in a different version of Christianity. It specifically focuses on Saint Polycarp, St Perpetua and the confessors of Lyons and Vienne. In addition, the paper analyzes the types of martyrdom shown through these individuals, asserting that each developed his/her own kind of description and fulfillment of how martyrdom is and should be.

From the Paper:

"This figurative explication of her suffering and eventual joy as she journeyed towards heaven provided a glimpse of how Christians, during the 2nd and 3rd centuries, were able to accept their fate as martyrs for the Lord, and be able to accomplish, indeed, the act of becoming a martyr. St Perpetua is identified as the "normative" martyr, because she experienced and acted martyrdom based on what was expected of her as a believer of God and firm follower of Christianity. Moreover, because the role of bearing witness to God's good news is a privileged role ("not more than one might go up at one time"), St Perpetua further internalized her being the 'chosen one'--as a martyr, a firm believer who will sacrifice her life for God and Christianity."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Holmes, M. (2002). "Polycarp and the New Testament." Journal of Biblical Literature, Vol. 121, Issue 4.
• "The Martyrdom of Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna." Catholic Community Forum: Patron Saints Index web site. Accessed 29 October 2006. Available at: http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/stp13001.htm.
• "St Perpetua: The passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity 203." Internet Medieval Sourcebook. Accessed 29 October 2006. Available at: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/perpetua.html.
• "Tertullian's Address to Martyrs." The Tertullian Project web site. Accessed 29 October 2006. Available at: http://66.218.69.11/search/cache?p=epistle+of+the+Gallican+confessors+&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&ei=UTF-8&u=www.tertullian.org/articles/bindley_address_to_the_martyrs.htm.

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