Persecution of Christians. From the first centuries to the present day

Persecution of Christians in the world from the first centuries to the beginning of the 20th century

The Roman Empire

(I-IV centuries)

“Torches of Nero”, Mr. Semiradsky, 1882.
Persecution in Rome occurred with varying intensity. The first peak is associated with Emperor Nero (64–68), when, among others, App. Peter and Pavel. But even in “quiet” times, confessing Christ could cost one’s life. Even the Edict of Milan by Emperor Constantine, which began the establishment of Christianity as the state religion, did not help. After him, for example, the famous 40 Martyrs of Sebaste died. And the next emperor, Julian (361–363), who received the name Apostate, tried to restore paganism and again resorted to persecution.

Europe (VIII-IX centuries)

The establishment of Christianity in barbarian countries led to a new wave of persecution. They were especially strong in England, where supporters of the Druids killed Christians, seeing them as a threat to their faith and way of life. At the same time, the Arab conquest of Spain began, where Christian blood was also shed.

Europe (VIII-IX centuries)

Celtic worship cross. Photo by V. Eshtokin

Europe and the Middle East (X-XI centuries)

Fresco knocked down by Muslims, Cappadocia. Photo by V. Eshtokin

We associate the Middle Ages with the undivided dominance of the Christian Church. But even then, persecution of believers continued in Europe. They were especially strong again in England, where the pagan Danes invaded during this period.

At the same time, some of the most severe persecutions in the history of the Middle East occurred; they were carried out in 1009 by Caliph al-Hakim.

Balkans (XIV-XVI centuries)

The Christian countries of the Balkan Peninsula were invaded by the Turks. All this turned into repression against believers.

Japan (17th century)

Against the backdrop of European colonial claims, Japanese rulers closed the country to all outside influences. At the same time, decrees were adopted banning missions and the practice of Christianity. Until the 50s of the 19th century, Christians constituted a persecuted minority in the country.

Near East

(XIX century)

Once again, the confrontation between East and West led to the shedding of Christian blood. In 1870, approximately 8,000 Christians were executed in Korea. In 1898-1901, the Boxer uprising took place in China, during which about 30 thousand Christians of different faiths were killed by nationalists. The Russian Orthodox Church has canonized 222 Chinese martyrs.

What's the plot?

To be honest, it is worth pointing out that paganism, both ancient and more modern, in the person of Lamaism and Buddhism, is not reduced only to bloody sacrifices, but they existed both in more ancient times and are also manifested in more recent times. And, it would be logical to say that a religion in which, at the level of doctrine and real spiritual practice, it is supposed to curse someone, wish him bloody torment, sacrifice a person, is less high and noble than one in which this is supposed to be done only with animals . In turn, the faith, where in the tradition of slaughtering kids, lambs, cows, roosters, etc., sprinkling their blood on various foods, and then eating it, seems to us, Christians, less sublime than the one in which the “evening sacrifice” is is a person’s prayerful, mental appeal to God. To God, who cares more about our heart and inner state.

Among all the pagan diversity, God, even in the Old Testament, addresses the Jews through the prophets, trying to wean them from the external, formal approach to their faith adopted from the pagans: “I hate, I reject your holidays and do not smell the sacrifices during your solemn assemblies” (Am 5 :21), pointing out to a person what is truly dear to Him.

Persecution of Orthodox Christians in Russia at the beginning of the 20th century

Numbers and dates:

According to PSTGU experts, in Russia in the 20th century, from 500 thousand to 1 million people suffered for their faith.

Currently, the PSTGU Database contains documents on more than
34 thousand people repressed
for their faith.
As of January 1, 2012, were glorified
as new martyrs and confessors of Russia
.
The peak of persecution occurred in
1937: 162,500 arrests, 89,600 executions
. February 7 - Council of Russian New Martyrs.

Online resources:

Foundation for the Memory of Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Orthodox Church

PSTGU database “Those who suffered for Christ”

The persecution schedule is based on the PSTGU database “Those who suffered for Christ”

Links:

[20] Nagata X. History of philosophical thought in Japan. M, 1991. P. 70.

[21] Kuznetsov V. Medieval Japan / World History. T. 1. M, 1993. P. 193.

[22] Sergius (Stragorodsky), Archimandrite. Across Japan (notes of a missionary). M, 1998. P. 109.

[23] Pavel (Ivanovsky), archimandrite. Koreans are Christians. M, 1905. C 9.

[24] Pavel (Ivanovsky), archimandrite. Koreans are Christians. M, 1905. pp. 13-14

[25] ibid. from 65

[26] ibid. from 66

Persecution and discrimination of Christians in the modern world

Christians are the most persecuted religious community on the planet. Currently, about 100 million Christians are persecuted in different countries of the world. At least 75% of all religious persecution in the world occurs against Christians. Every five minutes in the world a Christian dies for his faith. Every year, 100 thousand Christians are killed for their faith as a result of inter-religious conflicts (not counting the victims of civil clashes and wars). Christians are persecuted to varying degrees in 130 countries around the world. The international charitable Christian human rights organization “Open Doors” collects information about persecution for faith and assesses the level of danger for Christians in these countries.

The main reasons for the increase

persecution of Christians:

Extremism
and ideology of hatred disguised as religion in a number of Muslim countries.
Aggressive missionary work
of evangelical churches.
A complex of political and economic reasons that determine the interest of a number of states in inciting interreligious hostility.
Europe's rejection of Christian identity.
Muslims' identification of the distortions made by part of the Protestant world in matters of morality and ethics with general Christian values.

Based on materials from the report of the Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, at the International Conference “Freedom of Religion: the Problem of Discrimination and Persecution of Christians” (Moscow, November 30, 2011) and data from the international charitable Christian human rights organization “Open Doors”, which since 1978 has been monitoring the situation related to the situation of Christians in the world.

The Beginning of Christianity

In the first time after the death of Jesus Christ, there were almost no Christians on the territory of the state. Surprisingly, the very essence of the Roman Empire helped the religion spread quickly. The good quality of roads and strict social divisions led to the fact that already in the 2nd century almost every Roman city had its own Christian community. This was not an accidental association, but a real union: its participants helped each other in word and deed, and benefits could be received from common funds. Most often, the first Christians of the Roman Empire gathered for prayer in secret places, such as caves and catacombs. Soon the traditional symbols of Christianity took shape: a grape vine, a fish, a crossed monogram from the first letters of the name of Christ.

Persecution under Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

The famous ancient philosopher Marcus Aurelius was also widely known for his ruthlessness. On his initiative, the fourth persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire was launched.

The disciple of the Apostle John, Polycarp, having learned that Roman soldiers had come to arrest him, tried to hide, but was soon found. The bishop fed his captors and asked them to let him pray. His zeal impressed the soldiers so much that they asked him for forgiveness. Polycarp was sentenced to be burned in the market square, having first been asked to renounce his faith. But Polycarp replied: “How can I betray My King, who has never betrayed me?” The set fire to the brush caught fire, but the flame did not touch his body. Then the executioner pierced the bishop with his sword.

Under Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the deacon from Vienna, Sanctus, also died. He was tortured by placing hot copper plates on his naked body, which burned his flesh to the bone.

Persecution of Diocletian and Galerius

The most difficult test befell the Christians of the Roman Empire under Diocletian and his eastern co-ruler Galeria. The final persecution was then called the “Great Persecution.”

The emperor sought to revive the fading pagan religion. He began the implementation of his plan in 303 in the eastern part of the country. Early in the morning, soldiers broke into the main Christian church and burned all the books. Diocletian and his adopted son Galerius wished to personally see the beginning of the end of the Christian faith, and what they had done seemed not enough to them. The building was destroyed to the ground.

The next step was the publication of a decree, according to which the Christians of Nicomedia were to be arrested and their places of worship were to be burned. Galerius wanted more blood, and he ordered his father’s palace to be set on fire, blaming Christians for everything. The flames of persecution engulfed the entire country. At that time, the empire was divided into two parts - Gaul and Britain. In Britain, which was under the rule of Constantius, the second decree was not implemented.

For ten years, Christians were tortured, blamed for the misfortunes of the state, diseases, and fires. Entire families died in the fire, many had stones hung around their necks and drowned in the sea. Then the rulers of many Roman lands turned to the emperor with a request to stop, but it was too late. Christians were mutilated, many were deprived of their eyes, noses, and ears.

Persecution of Christians under Nero

The persecutions that took place under the leadership of this emperor amaze the consciousness with their immeasurable cruelty. Christians were sewn into the skins of wild animals and given to dogs, dressed in clothes soaked in tar and set on fire so that the “infidels” would illuminate Nero’s feasts. But such ruthlessness only strengthened the spirit of Christian unity.

Persecution under Septimius Severus

In the first decade of his reign, Septimius was tolerant of followers of Christianity and was not afraid to keep them at court. But in 202, after the Parthian campaign, he tightened the religious policy of the Roman state. His biography says that he prohibited the adoption of the Christian faith under threat of dire punishments, although he allowed those who had already been converted to practice the Christian religion in the Roman Empire. Many of the victims of the cruel emperor held high social positions, which greatly shocked society.

The sacrifice of Felicity and Perpetua, Christian martyrs, dates back to this time. “The Passion of Saints Perpetua, Felicity and those who suffered with them” is one of the earliest documents of this kind in the history of Christianity.

Perpetua was a young girl with a baby and came from a noble family. Felicity served her and was pregnant at the time of her arrest. Together with them, Saturninus and Secundulus were imprisoned, as well as the slave Revokat. They were all preparing to convert to Christianity, which was prohibited by law at that time. They were placed in custody, and soon they were joined by their mentor Satur, who did not want to hide.

The Passion says that Perpetua had a hard time in the first days of her imprisonment, worrying about her baby, but the deacons managed to bribe the guards and hand over the child to her. After this, the dungeon became like a palace for her. Her father, a pagan, and the Roman procurator tried to persuade Perpetua to renounce Christ, but the girl was adamant.

Death took Secundulus while he was in custody. Felicity was afraid that the law would not allow her to give her soul to the glory of Christ, since Roman law prohibited the execution of pregnant women. But a few days before the execution, she gave birth to a daughter, who was handed over to a free Christian woman.

The prisoners again declared themselves Christians and were sentenced to death - torn to pieces by wild animals; but the animals could not kill them. Then the martyrs greeted each other with a brotherly kiss and were beheaded.

Terrible torture during the persecution of Christians

Stories about how Christians were tortured in the Roman Empire were included in the lives of many saints. Although the Roman legal system favored the sentence of crucifixion or being eaten by lions, more sophisticated methods of torture can be found in Christian history.

For example, St. Lawrence devoted his life to caring for the poor and overseeing the property of the church. One day, the Roman prefect wanted to seize the funds that Lawrence kept. The deacon asked for three days to get ready, and during this time he distributed everything to the poor. The angry Roman ordered the rebellious priest to be brutally punished. A metal grate was placed over the hot coals, on which Lavrenty was laid. His body slowly charred, his flesh sizzled, but the perfect never received an apology. Instead, he heard the following words: “You baked me on one side, so turn me over to the other and eat my body!”

The Roman Emperor Decius hated Christians for their refusal to worship him as a deity. Having learned that his best soldiers had secretly converted to the Christian faith, he tried to bribe them and persuade them to return. In response, the soldiers left the city and took refuge in a cave. Decius ordered the shelter to be walled up, and all seven died of dehydration and starvation.

Cecilia of Rome professed Christianity from an early age. Her parents married her to a pagan, but the girl did not resist, but only prayed for the Lord’s help. She was able to dissuade her husband from carnal love and led him to Christianity. Together they helped the poor throughout Rome. The prefect of Turkey, Almachius, ordered Caecilia and Valerian to sacrifice to the pagan gods, and in response to their refusal, sentenced them to death. Roman justice was to be carried out far from the city. On the way, the young couple was able to convert several soldiers and their commander, Maxim, to Christianity, who invited Christians home and, together with his family, accepted the faith. The next day, after Valerian’s execution, Maxim said that he saw the soul of the deceased ascending to heaven, for which he was beaten to death with whips. Cecilia was kept in a bath of boiling water for several days, but the virgin martyr survived. When the executioner tried to cut off her head, he only managed to inflict mortal wounds. Saint Cecilia remained alive for several more days, continuing to turn people to the Lord.

But one of the most terrible fates befell Saint Victor the Moor. He was secretly preaching in Milan when he was captured and, tied to a horse, dragged through the streets. The crowd demanded renunciation, but the preacher remained faithful to religion. For his refusal, he was crucified and then thrown into prison. Victor converted several guards to Christianity, for which they were soon executed by Emperor Maximilian. The preacher himself was ordered to make a sacrifice to the Roman god. Instead, he attacked the altar with fury. Unconquered, he was thrown into a stone mill and ground.

Martyrs Paul and Peter

On July 12 (June 29), Christians around the world celebrate Peter and Paul Day. The Day of Remembrance of the Holy Apostles, who died at the hands of Nero, was celebrated back in the Roman Empire.

Paul and Peter were engaged in preaching, and although they always labored apart from each other, they were destined to die together. The emperor greatly disliked the “apostle of the pagans,” and his hatred only grew stronger when he learned that during his first arrest, Paul converted many of his courtiers. The next time Nero strengthened the guard. The ruler passionately wanted to kill Paul at the first opportunity, but at the trial the speech of the chief apostle struck him so much that he decided to postpone the execution.

The Apostle Paul was a citizen of Rome, so he was not tortured. The execution took place in secret. The emperor was afraid that with his courage and steadfastness he would convert those who saw it to Christianity. However, even the executioners themselves listened carefully to Paul’s words and were amazed at the fortitude of his spirit.

The Holy Tradition says that the Apostle Peter, together with Simon the Magus, who was also known for his ability to resurrect the dead, was invited by a woman to the burial of her son. To expose the deception of Simon, whom many in the city considered God, Peter brought the young man back to life.

Nero's anger turned on Peter after he converted two of the emperor's wives to Christianity. The ruler ordered the execution of the chief apostle. At the request of believers, Peter decided to leave Rome to avoid punishment, but he saw a vision of the Lord entering the gates of the city. The disciple asked Christ where he was going. “To Rome to be crucified again,” came the answer, and Peter returned.

Since the apostle was not a Roman citizen, he was scourged and crucified on the cross. Before his death, he remembered his sins and considered himself unworthy to accept the same death as his Lord. At Peter's request, the executioners nailed him upside down.