Foxe, Martyrs 19-62 & Narcissism

 

Foxe, John.  The New Foxe’s Book of Martyrs.  Gainesville, FL: Bridge-Logos Publishers, 2001.

19.        For nine days, untold numbers of Christian were blamed and martyred in Rome.  Dressed in animal skins are fed to animal.  Also, burned and torched.

Foxe also claims some NT characters were martyred, although the sources are not identified for this.  This is entirely new.

20.        Erastus, treasurer of Corinth (Rom.16.29), martyred

21.        Aristarchus the Macedonian (Acts 19.29), martyred

22.     Trophimus the Ephesian (Acts 21.29), martyred

23.        Barsabas (Acts 1.23), martyred

24.        Ananias (Acts 9.10), the man involved with St. Paul the martyr and later a bishop at Damascus, martyred

Emperor Domitian (81-96):  “No Christian, once brought to a tribunal should be exempted from punishment without renouncing his religion.”

25. Foxe claims that Timothy, the protégé of Paul, was martyred in 97 A.D.  Clubbed, beaten and died two days later.

Trajan (98-117):  The infamous letter of Pliny the Younger about how to handle Christians.  We do not have numbers here.

26. Ignatius, bp. of Antioch, led to Rome and martyred. Fed to the lions.

Hadrian: Foxe claims that 10,000 died during this reign

28.   Eustachius, a Roman Commander, and his entire family was martyred

29.    Two brothers martyred, the first being Fausiness and

30.    The second being Jorda 

Marcus Aurelius: (162-180 A.D.)

 

31.    Germanicus

 

32.    Polycarp, bp. of Smyrna.  The Governor offered him this: “Reproach Christ and I will release you.”  Polycarp: “Eighty-six years I have served Him and He has never wronged me. How shall I blaspheme My King who has saved me?” He was tied to the stake, burned and stabbed.

 

33.    Felicitas martyred

 

34.    Januarius martyred

 

35.    Felix, brains beaten out

 

36.    Philip, brains beaten out

 

37.    Silvanus thrown off a cliff

 

38.    Alexander, beheaded

 

39.    Vitalis, beheaded

 

40.   Martial, beheaded

41-47.  Justin Martyr, a native of Samaria, philosopher, and convert was martyred along with six other friends.  They were ordered to sacrifice to Graeco-Roman deities.  They refused and were beheaded.

48. Sanctus, Deacon of Vienna.  Hot brass plates pressed against “sensitive parts.” 

Septimus Severus: (193-211).  The Fifth Persecution.

49. Victor, bp. of Rome, martyred.  In this time, we are mindful of Tertullian’s two comments:  (1)  “We Christians are everywhere…” and (2) “The blood of the martyrs are the seed of the church.”

50. Leonidus, the father of Origen

51.  Plutarchus, follower of Origen, martyred

52. Serenus, follower of Origen, martyred

53. Heron, follower of Origen, martyred by beheading

54. Heraclides, follower of Origen, martyred by beheading

55. Rais, boiled with tar

56. Rais’s mother Marcella, boiled with tar

57. Rai’s sister Potainiena, boiled with tar

58. Irenaeus, Greek, author including descriptions of martyrdoms at Lyons, bp. of Lyons, beheaded in 202

59. Perpetua, Carthage, martyred

60. Felicita, Carthage, martyred

61. Revocatus, Carthage, martyred

62. Saturnius, Carthage, martyred


Revelation 6.9-10

⁹ And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

¹⁰ And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

¹¹ And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.