Home > Christian martyrs

The first Christian martyr was probably Saint Stephen as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles (6:8-8:3) who was stoned to death for his faith. Stephen was killed (i.e., martyred) for his support, belief and faith in Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. There were probably many other early Christian martyrs besides Stephen since Saul, later-known as the Apostle Paul of Tarsus, is mentioned as bringing many murderous threats upon the disciples or followers of Jesus (Acts 9:1ff.).

In subsequent centuries, especially during periods of widespread inquisition and Protestant Reformation, many Christians were martyred by other Christians, often on charges of heresy.

There are many incredible stories, ancient and contemporary, of Christian martyrdom.

1 Early Christian Martyrs

• Saint Stephen was stoned and some 2,000 other Christians suffered at the time of Stephen's persecution.
• James the Great (Son of Zebedee) was beheaded in 44 A.D.
• Philip was crucified in 54 A.D.
• Matthew killed by a halberd in 60 A.D.
• James the Less, beaten to death by a club after being crucified.
• Matthias was stoned and beheaded.
• Andrew, St. Peter's brother, was crucified.
• Mark was beaten to death.
• Peter, Saint PeterSaint Peter (died c. 67) was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. His original name was Simon "Hearkening; listening", Standard Hebrew imon Tiberian Hebrew imon , but he was given the nickname of Peter which means rock in Greek, crucified upside-down.
• Paul, Apostle Paul, beheaded in Rome.
• Jude was crucified.
• BartholomewMichelangelo's The Last Judgement shows Saint Bartholomew holding the knife of his martyrdom and his flayed skin. The face of the skin is recognizable as Michelangelo. Bartholomew was one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ. Bartholomew means son of Tolmai was crucified.
• Thomas, was killed by a spear.
• Luke was hanged.
• Simon was crucified in 74 A.D.
• John the EvangelistJacopo Pontormo, ca 1525 (Santa Felicita, Florence) John the Evangelist (? c. 110; " The LORD is merciful", Standard Hebrew Yoanan Tiberian Hebrew Yonn is presumed to be the author of the Gospel according to John. Tradition has identified him with John th was cooked in boiling hot oil but survived and died of old age circa 110 A.D.

2 2nd and 3rd century A.D.

• PolycarpPolycarp of Smyrna ( 69 155?, 80 166?, 81 167?, 79 165?, or 70 156?) was a Christian bishop of Smyrna in the second century. He died a martyr and is recognized as a saint in both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. According to tradition, he of Smyrna, probably around 160 A.D.
• Ignatius of Antioch in 107 A.D.
• Justin MartyrSaint Justin Martyr (c. 100/ 114 c. 162/ 168) was an early Christian apologist. Most of what is known about the life of Justin Martyr comes from his own writings. He was born at Flavia Neapolis (in Old Testament times Shechem, now Nablus) in Palestine. of Palestine in 168 A.D.
• OrigenOrigen was a Christian scholar and theologian and one of the most distinguished of the Fathers of the early Christian Church. He was born about 182, probably at Alexandria, and died at Caesarea not later than 251. Life Early training His full name was app of Alexandria, about 250 A.D.