“The blood of martrys is the seed of Christians.”
Turtillian
The Jewish people were under the control of the Romans at the time of Jesus and until the Roman Empire fell in the 300’s AD
Following the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Apostles saw Jesus ascend to heaven.
The Holy Spirit descended upon them on the day of Pentecost, marking the beginning of the Catholic Church, God’s chosen instrument for salvation.
The Apostles and disciples of Jesus began spreading the news of Jesus Christ
Many people converted to Christianity.
Peter and the twelve apostles were inspired to go out into the world spreading the good news of the gospel. Many of the Apostles were put to death because of their beliefs as Christianity spread.
During the period from about AD 192 to 284, there were about twenty-eight different emperors, twenty-two of them were murdered.
During this time persecutions began and many things were blamed on the Christians.
What was seen as the new religion was a challenge to the Romans and others.
Many people were put to death for living their faith.
Sometimes they were cruelly put to death in front of great crowds who cheered and jeered at them.
As the Church grew it became more organised and many more challenges occurred.
The First Martyr, St Stephen
St Stephen was a deacon of the Church. Great teaching and miracles were attributed to him and his popularity grew. This created enemies amongst some of the Jews
Sts Felicity and Perpetua
Sts. Felicity and Perpetua were martyrs who lived during the early persecutions. Perpetua was arrested for being a Christian and put in prison. She was separated from her newborn child. The young slave Felicity was pregnant was also sent to prison.
They were executed standing side by side by the sword.
Saints that Changed the World 