Martyr and Apologetic Father of the Church
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Justin, one of the most important Greek philosopher and Apologists of the early Christian church. Born at Flavia Neapolis, about the year 100, converted to Christianity about the year 130, taught and defended the Christian religion in Asia Minor and at Rome, where he suffered martyrdom about the year 165.
St. Justin was well educated, and gave himself to the study of philosophy, but always with one object, that he might learn the knowledge of God. He sought this knowledge among the contending schools of philosophy, but always in vain, till at last God himself appeased the thirst which He had created.
One day, while Justin was walking by the seashore, meditating on the thought of God, an old man met him and questioned him on the subject of his doubts; and when he had made Justin confess that the philosophers taught nothing certain about God, he told him of the writings of the inspired prophets and of Jesus Christ whom they announced, and bade him seek light and understanding through prayer.
The Scriptures and the constancy of the Christian martyrs led Justin from the darkness of human reason to the light of faith. In his zeal for the Faith he travelled to Greece, Egypt, and Italy, gaining many to Christ.
Among the Fathers of the second century his life is the best known from the most authentic documents: “Apologies” bearing his name and his “Dialogue with the Jew Tryphon”. In both “Apologies” and in his “Dialogue” he gives many personal details about his studies in philosophy and his conversion; they are not, however, an autobiography, but are partly idealized, and it is necessary to distinguish in them between poetry and truth; they furnish us however with several precious and reliable clues. In many passages, however, Justin tries to trace a real bond between philosophy and Christianity: according to him both the one and the other have a part in the Logos, partially disseminated among men and wholly manifest in Jesus Christ.
St. Justin lived certainly some time at Ephesus; the Acts of his martyrdom tell us that he went to Rome twice and lived “near the baths of Timothy with a man named Martin”. He taught school there, and in the aforesaid Acts of his martyrdom we read of several of his disciples who were condemned with him.
Not only did Justin teach Christianity as the ultimate truth and write in its defense, he also defended Christianity in public discussions. Two men he publicly debated in Rome were the heretic Marcion and the Cynic philosopher Crescens. It seems that Crescens was hot at being defeated in public debate and brought Justin and six of his students to the attention of the Roman prefect, Rusticus, around the year 165. When the Christian believers refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods as demanded, they were condemned, scourged, and beheaded. Standing a firm witness to Christian truth even in death, Justin gained the name “Martyr” by which he is still known.
Today let’s remember the role of St. Justin, as it is summed up in one word:” it is that of a witness”. We behold in him one of the highest and purest pagan souls of his time in contact with Christianity, compelled to accept its irrefragable truth, its pure moral teaching, and to admire its superhuman constancy.
Heaven is out goal.
Source: Lebreton, J. (1910). St. Justin Martyr. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved April 26, 2010 from New Advent website.
Source: Death of Justin Martyr – AD 1-300 Church History Timeline