What We Can Learn from the First Martyrs of the See of Rome

On June 30, we pause as a Church to remember the First Martyrs of the See of Rome. The men, women, and even children we remember are those who gave their lives for Christ in the earliest days of the Church. Long before Christianity was even legal, before basilicas and vestments, there were Christians who worshiped in secret and risked everything to follow Jesus. They were brutally persecuted under the emperor Nero in A.D. 64, and their faith became the seed of a Church that would endure beyond empire.

In honoring them, we are invited not just to remember the past, but to reflect on how we can live our faith today with the same boldness, compassion, and conviction.

Entering the Arena, 1869, Lufia Regional Museum

A Bloody Chapter: The Historical Account

The First Martyrs of Rome were victims of one of the earliest and most brutal persecutions in Christian history. After the Great Fire of Rome in 64 A.D., which burned for five days, destroying much of the city. (Tacitus, Annals XV, 44) Emperor Nero sought to shift blame away from himself and a scapegoat was found quite easily; Christians. The early Christians were already misunderstood and distrusted among the people of Rome because they lived lives quite different from their secular peers. According to the Roman historian Tacitus, Nero ordered horrific punishments for the early Christians. They were burned alive, torn apart by wild animals, and crucified, all to satisfy the bloodlust of a fearful crowd and to reinforce Nero’s own power.

These early Christians weren’t high-profile religious leaders. They were ordinary men and women; merchants, slaves, mothers, and laborers—who simply refused to deny Christ. They met quietly in homes to break bread and share in the Eucharist. They practiced charity, cared for widows and orphans, and refused to bow to the pagan gods of Rome. Their steadfast faith and suffering left an indelible mark on the Roman Church, establishing a witness that would give courage to generations of believers beyond them.

Their memory is woven into the very soil of Rome. Beneath the basilicas and catacombs are the remains of those who died proclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord. These were the first martyrs of what would become the heart of the Catholic Church—the See of Rome.

Christians in the Roman Eye: Suspicion, Superstition, and Strength

Divine Service in the Catacombs of St. Calixtus, A.D. 50, Author Anonymous

To understand why Christians were so harshly persecuted, it’s important to know how they were perceived in Roman society. Romans valued loyalty to the state and its gods so religion wasn’t just a personal belief, it was a civic duty. Christians, who refused to worship the emperor or participate in pagan rituals, were seen as disloyal and even dangerous.

Worse, their practices were cloaked in secrecy. Pagans heard strange rumors about early Christian

gatherings, whispers of cannibalism (from misunderstandings of the Eucharist) and incest (due to calling each other “brother” and “sister” in Christ). This fueled a climate of fear and suspicion. The very virtues that made Christianity beautiful; its inclusivity, humility, and reverence for life were twisted and seen as threats.

But Christians held fast. Their quiet lives of virtue and their willingness to die rather than renounce their faith slowly began to change the narrative. Over time, their example softened hardened hearts. Their blood, as Tertullian famously said, became the seed of the Church. From persecution rose perseverance and from suspicion grew sanctity.

Against the Grain: Faith Over Fear

The early martyrs went against every cultural current of their time. Rome celebrated power, conquest, and prestige. Christianity elevated humility, suffering, and sacrifice. To be a follower of Christ meant walking a radically different path and one that often led to imprisonment or death. But the early Christians chose it anyway.

What’s astonishing is not only that they endured persecution, but how they endured it. They didn’t retaliate or despair but instead they prayed. They sang hymns in prison and forgave their executioners. Their strength didn’t come from brute force but from the Holy Spirit working through them. In their weakest moments, Christ was their strength. And that strength radiated through the centuries, converting hearts and building the foundation of the Church.

In a world that idolized fear, they bore witness to a different kingdom, one not of this world. They triumphed not by escaping the fire but by walking through it with Christ. Their faith was not just a set of beliefs but a living, breathing relationship with a Savior they loved more than life itself.

What We Can Learn Today: Perseverance and Witness

As we remember the First Martyrs of the See of Rome, we’re invited to ask ourselves: How do I witness to Christ in my life? While most of us aren’t asked to die for our faith, we are asked to live for it: every day, in our words, actions, and choices.

We live in a world that still misunderstands faith. Following Jesus can sometimes feel countercultural, even uncomfortable. But the martyrs remind us: discomfort is not the enemy. A quiet, courageous faith lived with love and conviction can change the world. We may not face lions or fire, but we do face trials including loss, illness, rejection, loneliness, and doubt. In those moments, we can look to the martyrs as our companions. They remind us that perseverance is holy, and that God is close in our suffering.

Let this June 30 be more than just a date on the calendar. Attend Mass. Pray for persecuted Christians around the world. Light a candle in memory of those who gave everything for Christ. Let their courage ignite yours. We are part of the same Church and the same body of Christ that stood firm in the catacombs and stands firm today. The Spirit who strengthened them lives in us everyday.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, Through the witness of the First Martyrs of Rome, you remind us that love is stronger than fear and truth more powerful than violence. Strengthen our hearts to stand for You with courage, humility, and peace. We pray especially for our brothers and sisters today who are suffering for their faith. May we never forget their witness, and may we follow their example with faith, hope, and love. Amen.

Let us never forget: the early Church was built on love, not fear; on sacrifice, not ambition; on truth, not power. And so too must our lives be. St. Peter and Paul, First Martyrs of Rome, pray for us!