File(s) not publicly available
E00358: Three versions of the Greek Martyrdom of *Ioustinos, Chariton, Charito, Euelpistos, Hierax, Paion, Liberianos and their companions (martyrs of Rome, S00930) recount the interrogation and martyrdom of seven Christians in Rome, under the leadership of Ioustinos, who may be identical with the apologist Justin (c. 100-165). The text probably originates from a pre-Constantinian account.
online resource
posted on 2015-04-01, 00:00 authored by erizosMartyrdom of Ioustinos, Charitōn, Charitō, Euelpistos, Hierax, Paiōn, Liberianos and their companions (BHG 972, 973, 974)
Version A (BHG 972)
Summary:
§§ 1-2. The saints are interrogated by the urban prefect of Rome Roustikos (Rusticus). Ioustinos is interrogated first about the doctrines he follows. Ioustinos confesses following the Christian faith, which worships one God, creator of the world, and his son Jesus Christ, whose coming was foretold by the prophets.
§ 3. Roustikos asks him where the Christians gather, and Ioustinos replies that they do so wherever they can. He only knows the assembly of his neighbourhood near a private bath, where he has stayed for two years, since he settled in Rome. There he has been teaching anyone that wished to hear from him the Christian doctrine. Roustikos asks again if he is a Christian, and Ioustinos affirms.
§ 4. Roustikos asks Charitōn, Charitō, Euelpistos and Hierax if they are Christians, which they confirm. Roustikos asks if Ioustinos made them Christians. Hierax replies that he was a Christian of old, and Paiōn says that they were raised as Christians by their parents. Euelpistos also confirms having grown up as a Christian, though he gladly followed the teaching of Ioustinos. Roustikos asks about their parents. Euelpistos replies that his live in Cappadocia, while Hierax replies that he comes from Phrygia and his parents are dead. Liberianos also confesses being a Christian.
§ 5. Roustikos asks Ioustinos if he believes that he will go to heaven after being scourged and beheaded. Ioustinos confirms his faith in it, and Roustikos orders them to be executed, unless they offer sacrifice to the gods.
§ 6. The martyrs are taken to the place of executions and killed.
In version B (BHG 973), it is added in the end that that the Christians secretly collected the bodies of the saints and buried them in an appropriate place.
Version C (BHG 974) is more extensive, with more enhanced dialogues, and elaborate introduction and epilogue paragraphs. The epilogue gives 1 June as the date of their martyrdom, mentions the burial of the bodies, and asks of the martyrs to grant victory to the Christian emperor and peace to the empire.
Text: Musurillo 1972
Summary: Efthymios Rizos
Version A (BHG 972)
Summary:
§§ 1-2. The saints are interrogated by the urban prefect of Rome Roustikos (Rusticus). Ioustinos is interrogated first about the doctrines he follows. Ioustinos confesses following the Christian faith, which worships one God, creator of the world, and his son Jesus Christ, whose coming was foretold by the prophets.
§ 3. Roustikos asks him where the Christians gather, and Ioustinos replies that they do so wherever they can. He only knows the assembly of his neighbourhood near a private bath, where he has stayed for two years, since he settled in Rome. There he has been teaching anyone that wished to hear from him the Christian doctrine. Roustikos asks again if he is a Christian, and Ioustinos affirms.
§ 4. Roustikos asks Charitōn, Charitō, Euelpistos and Hierax if they are Christians, which they confirm. Roustikos asks if Ioustinos made them Christians. Hierax replies that he was a Christian of old, and Paiōn says that they were raised as Christians by their parents. Euelpistos also confirms having grown up as a Christian, though he gladly followed the teaching of Ioustinos. Roustikos asks about their parents. Euelpistos replies that his live in Cappadocia, while Hierax replies that he comes from Phrygia and his parents are dead. Liberianos also confesses being a Christian.
§ 5. Roustikos asks Ioustinos if he believes that he will go to heaven after being scourged and beheaded. Ioustinos confirms his faith in it, and Roustikos orders them to be executed, unless they offer sacrifice to the gods.
§ 6. The martyrs are taken to the place of executions and killed.
In version B (BHG 973), it is added in the end that that the Christians secretly collected the bodies of the saints and buried them in an appropriate place.
Version C (BHG 974) is more extensive, with more enhanced dialogues, and elaborate introduction and epilogue paragraphs. The epilogue gives 1 June as the date of their martyrdom, mentions the burial of the bodies, and asks of the martyrs to grant victory to the Christian emperor and peace to the empire.
Text: Musurillo 1972
Summary: Efthymios Rizos
History
Evidence ID
E00358Saint Name
Ioustinos, Charitōn, Charitō, Euelpistos, Hierax, Paiōn, Liberianos and their companions, martyrs in Rome : S00930Saint Name in Source
Ἰουστῖνος, Χαρίτων, Χαριτώ, Εὐέλπιστος, Ἱέραξ, Παίων, ΛιβεριανὸςRelated Saint Records
Type of Evidence
Literary - Hagiographical - Accounts of martyrdomLanguage
- Greek
Evidence not before
165Evidence not after
1000Activity not before
162Activity not after
168Place of Evidence - Region
Rome and regionPlace of Evidence - City, village, etc
RomePlace of evidence - City name in other Language(s)
Rome Rome Rome Roma Ῥώμη RhōmēCult activities - Festivals
- Saint’s feast
