#80 The First Apology of Justin - Part 16

By Justin Martyr, from The Ante-Nicene Fathers

Chapter 67 - Weekly Worship of the Christians

We afterwards continually remind each other of these things. Those who are wealthy among us help the needy, and we always stay together. For all things with which we are supplied, we bless the Maker of all through His Son Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit.

On the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place. The memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits. Then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs and encourages the imitation of these good things.

Then we all rise together and pray. As we said before, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought. The president similarly offers prayers and thanksgivings according to his ability, and the people agree, saying Amen. There is a distribution to each and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons.

Those who are well off and willing give what each thinks fit. What is collected is deposited with the president, who helps the orphans and widows and those who through sickness or any other cause are in need, and those who are in prison and the strangers visiting among us - in short, he takes care of all who are in need.

Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having made a change in darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Savior on the same day rose from the dead. He was crucified on the day before Saturday; and on the day after Saturday, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration.

Chapter 68 - Conclusion

If these things seem to you to be reasonable and true, honor them. But if they seem nonsensical, dismiss them as nonsense, and do not decree death against those who have done no wrong, as you would against enemies.

We warn you that you shall not escape God's coming judgment if you continue in your injustice. We ourselves will invite you to do what is pleasing to God.

Though from the letter of the greatest and most illustrious Emperor Hadrian (Roman Emperor, 117-138 AD, predecessor and adoptive father of Antoninus Pius), your father, we could demand that you order judgment to be given as we have requested, we have made this appeal and explanation not on the ground of Hadrian's decision but because we know that what we ask is just.

We have attached a copy of Hadrian's letter, so that you may know we are speaking truly about this. The copy follows:

Hadrian's Letter in Behalf of the Christians

I have received the letter addressed to me by your predecessor Serenius Granianus, a most illustrious man. This communication I am unwilling to pass over in silence, lest innocent persons be disturbed and opportunity be given to informers for practicing villainy.

If the inhabitants of your province will sustain this petition of theirs by accusing the Christians in a court of law, I do not prohibit them from doing so. But I will not allow them to make use of mere petitions and outcries. It is far more just, if anyone desires to make an accusation, that you give judgment upon it.

If, therefore, anyone makes the accusation and proves that the said people do anything contrary to the laws, you shall assign punishments in proportion to the offenses. By Hercules, you shall give special attention to this: that if anyone shall, through mere slander, bring an accusation against any of these persons, you shall award to him more severe punishments in proportion to his wickedness.

Letter of Antoninus to the Common Assembly of Asia

The Emperor Caesar Titus Aelius Adrianus Antoninus Augustus Pius, Supreme Pontiff, in the fifteenth year of his tribuneship, Consul for the third time, Father of the fatherland, to the Common Assembly of Asia, greeting:

I should have thought that the gods themselves would see to it that such offenders should not escape. For if they had the power, they themselves would much rather punish those who refuse to worship them. But it is you who bring trouble on these persons and accuse them of atheism because of their beliefs, and lay to their charge certain other things which we are unable to prove.

But it would be advantageous to them that they should be thought to die for that of which they are accused. They conquer you by being willing to give up their lives rather than yield the obedience you require of them.

Regarding the earthquakes which have already happened and are now occurring, it is not right that you remind us of them, losing heart whenever they occur, and thus set your conduct in contrast with that of these people. For they have much greater confidence toward God than you yourselves have.

You, indeed, seem at such times to ignore the gods. You neglect the temples and make no recognition of the worship of God. Hence you are jealous of those who do serve Him and persecute them to the death.

Concerning such persons, some others also of the governors of provinces wrote to my most divine father. To them he replied that they should not disturb such persons, unless they were found to be attempting anything against the Roman government.

To myself many have sent information regarding such persons, to whom I also replied in accordance with my father's judgment. But if anyone has a matter to bring against any person of this class, merely because they are such, let the accused be acquitted of the charge, even though they should be found to be such a person. But let the accuser be subject to justice.