Authors: Vibia Perpetua and her companions
Date: Second century
Related:
The Martyrdom of Polycarp
Introduction
The Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas is a prison diary describing the martyrdom of three catechumens, Saturus, Saturninus and Revocatus, and two young women, Vibia Perpetua and her servant Felicity, who was pregnant at the time of her arrest and gave birth to a girl shortly before her death in the arena. They suffered martyrdom on March 7, 203, in Carthage. The largest part of the account is Perpetua’s own diary.
During the lifetime of Saint Augustine, bishop of Hippo in North Africa (†430), the Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas was held in such high esteem in North Africa that the bishop had to warn his listeners not to put it on a level with the canonical Scriptures. Augustine, De anima et eius origine I, 10, 12).
Preface
The young catechumens Revocatus and Felicity his fellow servant, Saturninus and Secundulus were arrested, together with Vibia Perpetua, nobly born, liberally educated, honorably married. Her mother and father were still living and one of her two brothers was a catechumen like herself. She was about twenty-two years old and had an infant son at the breast. What follows here she will tell herself; the whole order of her martyrdom as she left it written with her own hand and in her own words.
Perpetua’s Account
While we were still under arrest, my father out of love for me tried to persuade me and shake my resolution. “Father,” I said, “Do you see, this water pitcher lying here?”
“I see it,” he said.
I asked him: “Could it be called by any other name than what it is?”
And he said: “No.”
“Neither can I call myself anything else than what I am, a Christian.”
At this my father was so provoked by my words that he threw himself upon me, as though to tear my eyes out. But he only made me more steadfast, and so he went away along with his diabolical arguments.
For a few days afterwards I gave thanks to the Lord that I was separated from my father, and I was comforted by his absence. During these few days I was baptized, and I was inspired by the Spirit not to ask for any other favor after the water but bodily endurance. A few days later we were taken to the prison; and I was very much afraid, as I had never known such darkness. What a bitter day! There was a great heat because of the crowding, the cruelty of the soldiers; and above all, I was tormented there with worry for my child.
Tertius and Pomponius, the blessed deacons who took care of us, paid the soldiers to allow us to go to a better part of the prison to refresh ourselves for a few hours. Everyone then left that dungeon and took care of their own wants. I nursed my child, who was faint from hunger. In my distress I spoke to my mother about the child, I tried to comfort my brother, and I gave the child into their care. I was grieved because I saw them suffering for my sake. These were the trials I had to endure for many days. Afterward I received permission for my child to stay with me in prison, and at once I recovered my health, relieved of my worry and anxiety over the child. My prison had suddenly become a palace to me, so that I preferred to be there rather than anywhere else.
Then my brother said to me, “Dear sister, you are now highly honored – Surely you might ask for a vision to discover whether you are to be condemned or freed.”
I knew that I could speak to the Lord, for whose sake I had suffered all these things, so I promised him boldly, “Tomorrow I will tell you.” And I asked, and this was shown to me.
I saw a bronze ladder of marvelous height, reaching up to the heavens, but it was so narrow that only one person could go up at a time. To the sides of the ladder were attached all sorts of iron weapons: Swords, spears, hooks and blades; so that if anyone climbed up carelessly or without looking up, he would be torn and his flesh would cling to the iron weapons. And under the ladder itself was crouching a dragon of enormous size, lying in wait for those who ascended, and frightened them from making the ascent.
Saturus was the first to climb the ladder, he who later gave himself up freely for us. He was the one who had strengthened us, although he was not there when we were arrested. When he arrived at the top of the ladder, he looked back and said, “Perpetua, I am waiting for you. But be careful that the dragon does not bite you.”
And I said, “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, it will not hurt me.” And from under the ladder, as if in fear of me, the dragon slowly lifted up its head. So, using it as my first step, I stepped on its head and went up.
At the top, I saw an immense garden, and in the midst of it a white-haired man sat in shepherd’s clothing. He was tall, and milking sheep. Standing around him were thousands of people in white garments. He raised his head, and looked at me, and said to me, ‘Welcome, child.’”
He called me to him, gave me, as it were, a curd of the milk he was drawing, and I received it with cupped hands; and I ate it, and all who stood around said, “Amen.” And at the sound of their voices I awoke, still tasting a sweetness I cannot describe.
And at once I told my brother, and we understood we were to suffer; and we ceased to place any further hope in this world.
After a few days there came a report that we would be given a hearing. My father came to me from the city, worn out with anxiety. He came to see me with the idea of persuading me, saying, “Daughter, have pity on my grey hairs. Have pity on your father, if I deserve to be called your father; if I have favored you above all your brothers, if with these hands I have raised you to this flower of youth, then do not abandon me to the reproach of men. Think of your brothers, your mother and your aunt, look at your son, who will not be able to live after you are gone. Give up your obstinacy! Do not destroy us all together; for none of us will be able to speak openly again if anything happens to you.”
These things my father said with tenderness, kissing my hands and throwing himself down at my feet. With tears he spoke to me not as his daughter but as a woman. And I grieved for my aged father, the only one of my whole family who would be sorry to see me suffer.
I comforted him, saying, “In this trial, whatever God wills will happen. We are not in our own power, but in God’s power.” And he returned home in sorrow.
Then one day, while we were eating dinner, we were suddenly taken away to be tried. We arrived at the hall, and quickly the story went about the surrounding area and a great crowd gathered.
We took the stand, and the others were questioned and confessed. Then they came to me, and my father immediately appeared with my son, and tried to make me step down, saying, “Offer the sacrifice! Have pity on your child.”
Hilarian the governor, who had received his judicial powers as the successor of the late proconsul Minucius Timinian, said to me: “Spare your father’s grey hairs; spare the infancy of the boy. Make sacrifice for the Emperors’ prosperity.”
“I will not,” I answered.
“Are you a Christian?” Hilarian asked.
And I replied, “I am a Christian.”
My father still stood by me to draw me away from my faith, so Hilarian ordered him to be thrown to the ground and beaten with a rod. My aged father’s suffering grieved me as if I myself had been beaten.
Then Hilarian passed sentence on all of us and condemned us to the wild beasts, and we returned to prison in high spirits. Then, because my child had been used to nursing while staying with me in the prison, I sent the deacon Pomponius to my father to ask for the baby, but my father refused to give him. Yet as God provided, the child no longer desired to nurse, nor did my breast cause me discomfort, so I was not tormented by care for my son and the pain of my breast.
A few days after, while we were all praying, suddenly in the midst of the prayer a word came to me and I named my brother Dinocrates, and I was amazed that he had never come to my mind until then. I was grieved as I remembered his sad death, and immediately I knew that it was fitting that I should intercede for him. So I began to make supplication for him, and to cry with groaning to the Lord. And without delay, that night, this vision was shown me.
I saw Dinocrates coming forth from a dark place, where also were many others. He was hot and thirsty, dirty and pale, and he still wore the wound on his face which he had when he died. Dinocrates had been my brother in the flesh, seven years old when he became diseased with ulcers of the face and came to a horrible death, so that his death was repugnant to all. I had been praying for him, and between him and me was a great gulf, so that neither of us could approach to the other. And there, where Dinocrates was, stood a fountain full of water, whose edge was higher than was the boy’s height. He stretched up but could not drink. I grieved that, even though the font held water, he could not drink because of its height.
Then I awoke, and I knew that my brother was suffering. But I trusted that my prayer would bring help to his pain, and I prayed for him every day till we were transferred into the camp prison. For we were to fight in the camp games at the birthday of Geta Caesar. I prayed for my brother day and night, groaning and weeping that he might be given to me.
Then, one day when we remained chained in the prison, this was shown to me.
I saw the place which I had seen before, and there Dinocrates, with a clean body well clad, was finding refreshment. And the fountain I had seen before was now at the height of the boy’s waist, so that he drew from it water that flowed without ceasing. On the edge of the font was a golden cup full of water; Dinocrates came up and began to drink from it and it never emptied. And when he was satisfied, he departed away from the water and began to play with joy as children do. Then I awoke, and I understood that he was delivered from torment.
A few days later, an adjutant named Pudens, who was in charge of the prison, began to honor us, understanding that the great power of God was in us. He let many of the brethren into the prison to see us, so that both we and they might be comforted.
And when the day of the games drew near, my father came to see me, overwhelmed with grief, and began to tear out his beard, and to throw himself down on the ground on his face. He cursed his own old age and spoke such words as might move all creation, so that I grieved for his unhappy old age.
On the day before we were to fight with the wild beasts, I saw a vision. The deacon Pomponius came to the door of the prison, and knocked violently. I went out and opened the gate for him. He was clothed in an unbelted white robe, wearing beautiful sandals.
And he said to me, “Perpetua, come! We are waiting for you.” Then he took my hand and we began to go through rugged and winding places. Finally we arrived breathless at the amphitheater, and he led me into the middle of the arena.
“Do not fear,” he said to me, “I am here with you, and I am struggling with you,” then he departed. And I looked up and with amazement I saw a great crowd.
I was surprised that no wild beasts were released; for I knew that I was condemned to die by the beasts. Then out came an Egyptian against me, of horrible appearance, together with his seconds, to fight with me. There also came up to me some strong young men to be my seconds and helpers. My clothes were stripped off, and suddenly I was a man.
My helpers began to anoint me with oil, as is customary before a fight; but I beheld that Egyptian on the other side rolling in the dust. Then there came forth a man of amazing height, so tall that he rose above the top of the arena. He wore a beltless purple tunic with two bands over the middle of his breast; and he wore gold and silver sandals of varied form. He carried a rod, like a trainer of gladiators, and a green branch on which were apples of gold. And he called for silence, and said, “If this Egyptian overcomes her, he will kill her with the sword; but if she defeats him, she will receive this branch.” Then he departed.
We drew near to one another, and began to deal out blows. He tried to get hold of my feet, but I kept striking his face with my heels. I rose up in the air, and began to strike at him, so that I barely even touched the ground. Then when there was a pause, I joined my hands, wound my fingers together, and took hold of his head. He fell on his face, and I stepped on his head.
The crowd shouted, and my assistants began to sing. I walked to the master of gladiators and took the branch. He kissed me, and said, “Peace be with you, daughter!” I began to walk in triumph towards the Gate of Life.
Then I awoke, and perceived that I was going to fight, not against wild beasts, but against the devil – but I knew that victory was waiting for me.
Thus far I have written, up to the eve of the games. Whoever will, let them write of the events of the games themselves.
Saturus’ Account
The blessed Saturus wrote this vision which he received:
We had suffered and passed out of the body, and we began to be carried towards the east by four angels whose hands did not touch us. We went, not as though lying on our backs, but as though we went up an easy hill.
And as we passed over the world’s edge we saw a very great light, and I said to Perpetua who was at my side, “This is what the Lord promised to us; we have received the promise.” And while the angels carried us, a great space opened before us, like a garden of rose-trees and all kinds of flowers. And the trees were as tall as cypresses, and their leaves sang without ceasing.
And there in the garden stood four more angels, even more glorious. When they saw us, they honored us, saying to the other angels with wonder, “Here they are!” The four who carried us set us down, trembling, and we walked on a broad path over a plain. There we found Jocundus and Saturninus and Artaxius who had been burned alive in the same persecution, and Quintus, a martyr who had departed this life while still in prison, and we asked them where the rest were. But the angels said to us, “Come first, enter and greet your Lord!”
And we came near to a place whose walls seemed made of light. Before the gate stood four angels, who clothed us with white robes as we entered. So we entered and as if in a single voice we heard the unceasing cry, “Holy! Holy! Holy!” And in the midst of that place we saw a figure like a Man, white-headed, having hair like snow; with a youthful face, whose feet did not see.
On his right and left were twenty-four elders, and behind them stood a great many others. We entered with great wonder and stood before the throne, and the four angels raised us up, and we kissed him, and he touched our faces with his hand. The elders said to us, “Let us stand and pray,” and we stood and gave the kiss of peace. And the elders said to us, “Go and rejoice!” And I said to Perpetua, “You have what you have desired.”
She answered, “Thanks be to God, that as joyous as I was in the flesh, I am now more joyous here!”
We went forth, and saw before the entrance the bishop Optatus on the right and the presbyter and teacher Aspasius on the left, standing separate and sorrowful, and they cast themselves down at our feet, saying, “Restore peace between us, because you went forth and left us alone.”
And we answered them, “Are you not our father, and you our presbyter, that you should throw yourselves at our feet?” And we prostrated ourselves and embraced them. Perpetua began to speak with them in Greek, and we drew them apart in the garden under a rose tree. And while we were speaking with them, the angels said to them, “Let these go and be refreshed; and if you have any dissensions between you, forgive one another.” And they drove them away. And they said to Optatus, “Correct your people, because they come to you as if returning from the circus, and they argue about divisive matters.” Then it seemed to us as if they would shut the doors. And we began to recognize many brothers and martyrs. We were all nourished with an indescribable sweetness, which satisfied us. Then I awoke in joy.
The Martyrs in Prison
These were the glorious visions of the martyrs Saturus and Perpetua, as they themselves wrote them. God called Secundulus from this world earlier than the others while he was still in prison, so that by grace he might not have to face the wild beasts. Yet his flesh, if not his soul, knew the sword.
As for Felicity, she too received this grace of the Lord. She had been pregnant when she was arrested, and was now in her eighth month. As the day of the games drew near she was very sorrowful that her martyrdom would be postponed because of her pregnancy; for it is against the law for women with child to be publicly executed. So she might have to shed her holy, innocent blood afterward, among common criminals.
Her fellow martyrs were also saddened as well, for they were afraid that they would have to leave behind so good a friend and fellow-traveler on the same road to hope. So, for three days before the spectacle, they poured forth prayers to the Lord. And immediately after their prayer the birth pangs came upon her. She suffered much in her labor because of the natural difficulty of a delivery in the eighth month.
At this, one of the servants of the doorkeepers, “If you suffer so much now, then what will you do when you are thrown to the beasts? You thought so little of them when you refused to sacrifice!”
“What I am suffering now”, she replied, “I suffer by myself. But then another will be in me, who will suffer for me, just as I shall be suffering for him.”
Felicity gave birth to a girl; and a sister brought her up as her own daughter.
Now, since then the Holy Spirit has permitted the account of this contest to be written down, and by so permitting has willed it, we will carry out the command, or rather the sacred trust of the most blessed Perpetua, unworthy though we are.
One more testimony we add concerning her perseverance and nobility of soul.
The tribune had treated them with greater severity because at the advice of certain very deceitful ones he became afraid that they would be brought secretly out of the prison by magic. But Perpetua answered to his face, “Why do you not at least permit us to be refreshed, since we are chosen guests of the most noble Caesar, and we are to fight on his birthday? Would it not be your glory if we were brought out on that day in a fatter condition?”
The tribune shuddered and blushed, and gave the order that they should be more gently handled, and he allowed her brothers and other persons to visit, so that the prisoners could dine with them. By this time the adjutant of the prison was himself a Christian.
On the day before the spectacle, at their last meal, which their custom calls the free meal, they kept, not a free meal, but a love feast Greek agápē, the Christian communal meal of fellowship, from earliest times associated with the observance of the Eucharist.. And with the same boldness they spoke to the people, warning them of the Lord’s judgement, bearing witness to joy in their suffering, and setting at naught the curiosity of the crowds that came to see them.
Saturus said, “Will tomorrow not be enough for you? Why are you so eager to see something you hate? You are friends today, but enemies tomorrow. But take diligent note of our faces now, so you will recognize us on the day of judgment.” Then everyone departed from there astonished, and many began to believe.
The Day of Martyrdom
When the day of their victory dawned, they marched from the prison to the amphitheater joyfully as if into heaven, with calm faces, trembling, if at all, with joy rather than fear.
The day of their victory shone forth, and they proceeded from the prison into the amphitheater, as if to an assembly, joyous and with brightly shining faces. If they trembled at all, it was with joy, not fear. Perpetua followed behind, with a placid look, as a matron of Christ and beloved of God; at her piercing look, everyone cast down their eyes.
Felicity followed, rejoicing that she had safely given birth, so that she might fight with the wild beasts; going from one blood bath to another, from the midwife to the gladiator, to wash after childbirth with a second baptism.
When they were brought to the door known as the Gate of Life, the men were ordered to put on the clothing of priests of Saturn, and the women robes of priestesses of Ceres. But the noble Perpetua resisted this to the end.
“We came to this of our own accord, so that our freedom might not be violated. We consented to pledge our lives that we would not do this. You agreed to this!” Injustice recognized justice, and the tribune agreed to their being brought as simply as they were. Perpetua began to sing a psalm; she was already treading the Egyptian’s head underfoot.
Revocatus, Saturninus, and Saturus warned the crowd who gathered to watch the martyrdom. When they came in sight of Hilarian, with gestures and nods they began to say to him, “You are judging us, but God will judge you!” At this the people became enraged and demanded that they should be scourged with whips before the rank of the gladiators. And they rejoiced at receiving a share in the Lord’s passion.
But the One who had said, “Ask, and you will receive” John 16:24. gave them each the end they had desired.
For when they had earlier discussed among themselves their hope of martyrdom, Saturninus had insisted that he wanted to be thrown to all the different beasts, so he might gain a more glorious crown. And when the games began, he and Revocatus first faced a leopard and then, being bound to a post, they were attacked by a bear.
As for Saturus, he dreaded nothing more than a bear, and hoped to die by a single bite of a leopard. And it was not a bear but a boar that was brought against him; but the handler who had tied Saturus to the animal was gored by the animal and died a few days afterward, while Saturus was only dragged along. Then he was bound for a bear to attack him, the animal refused to come out of its cage, so that Saturus was called back again unhurt.
For the young women, however, the devil had prepared a mad heifer, provided especially for that purpose contrary to custom, in order to match their sex with that of the beast. And so, stripped and placed in nets, they were led forth into the arena. The crowd was horrified to see one delicate young woman, and another fresh from childbirth with milk still dripping from her breast. The women were dressed in unbelted tunics
Perpetua was led in first. The heifer tossed her, and she fell on her back. When she sat up, her tunic was torn at the side so she pulled it to cover her thighs, more mindful of modesty than of pain. Next she put up her untidy hair; for it was not right that a martyr should suffer with her hair in disorder, as if grieving in her moment of glory.
When she stood up, and saw Felicity crushed to the ground, she approached, gave a hand and lifted her up. The two stood together; but the bloodlust of the crowd was now appeased, so they were called back to the Gate of Life.
Then Perpetua was met by a catechumen named Rusticus, who kept close to her. And, awakening as if from sleep, so deeply had she been in the Spirit and outside herself, she began to look about, and amazed them all by asking, “When are we supposed to be thrown to the mad heifer?” And when she had heard what had already happened, she did not believe it until she saw the marks of injury on her body and her dress. Then she called for her brother and the catechumen, and exhorted them, “Stand fast in the faith, and love one another, all of you, and do not be frightened by what we suffer.”
At the other gate, Saturus exhorted the soldier Pudens, “Just as I trusted and predicted, here I am. So far not a single beast has touched me. Now, so that you may believe with your whole heart, see, I am going out to the beast and will be finished off by one bite of the leopard.” And at the end of the games, Saturus was thrown to the leopard, and after a single bite so covered with blood that as he came away the crowd cheered for this second baptism, “Well washed! Well washed!” Truly he who was glorified in this way was well washed. Then he said to the soldier Pudens, “Farewell! Remember the faith and me. May these things not disturb you but strengthen you. And he took a ring from Pudens’ finger, dipped it in his blood, and gave it back to him for a pledge and memorial of his blood.
Then as consciousness left him, Saturus was thrown down with the rest in the accustomed place for his throat to be cut. But the crowd called for them all to be brought out together, so that their eyes might witness the slaughter as the sword pierced these bodies. So the martyrs got up of their own accord and went to the place indicated, first kissing one another so they might complete their martyrdom with the kiss of peace.
In silence and without moving, they each received the sword. Saturus in particular had first given up his spirit and now waited for Perpetua likewise. But Perpetua, so that she might have some taste of pain, was pierced between the bones and cried out; and when the young gladiator’s hand was unsteady, she herself set the blade on her own neck.
Perhaps so great a woman, so feared by the unclean spirit, could not otherwise have been slain unless she were willing.
O most valiant and blessed martyrs and chosen soldiers, called and chosen for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ! Anyone who magnifies, and honors, and worships his glory, ought to read these new acts of virtue for the edification of the Church, no less than the ancient accounts, so that the new wonders may likewise bear witness that one and the same Holy Spirit is always at work even until now, for which we send up glory to the eternal Father, and to his only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit; to whom be glory and dominion unto ages of ages. Amen.