Perpetua (saint)
Perpetua, a Christian saint and martyr, is recognized in Roman Catholic and various Christian traditions for her steadfast faith during persecution in the early third century CE. Born Vibia Perpetua around 180 CE to a wealthy family in Thuburbo, Carthage, she converted from paganism to Christianity in her early twenties. Amidst growing concerns from the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus about the loyalty of Christians, Perpetua, along with five others, was arrested for refusing to sacrifice to the Roman gods.
Her experiences in prison, detailed in a diary attributed to her, are preserved in the work known as *The Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas*. Perpetua endured harsh conditions, remained resolute despite her father's pleas to recant, and found comfort in dreams that strengthened her faith. Ultimately, she and her companions were sentenced to death in the arena, where they faced wild animals before being executed.
Perpetua’s martyrdom is not only a significant event in Christian history but also serves as a source of inspiration for many, illustrating the courage and conviction of early Christians in the face of persecution. Her feast day is celebrated on March 7, and her legacy continues to influence Christian worship practices today.
Perpetua (saint)
Saint, martyr
- Born: c. 180 CE
- Place of Birth: Carthage
- Died: c. 203 CE
- Place of Death: Carthage
- Significance: Considered a saint in Roman Catholic and other Christian traditions, Perpetua is one of several Christian martyrs who died in the Northern African city of Carthage in the third century CE.
Background
Perpetua, who was named Vibia Perpetua in some sources, was born to a prosperous family in Thuburbo in Carthage about 180 CE. She had several brothers, and it is believed that Perpetua, her siblings, and parents lived a life of comfort and relative privilege.
Around the same time Perpetua is believed to have been born, twelve Christians from the town of Scillium were martyred in Carthage. The account of their deaths is one of the earliest mentions of Christianity in North Africa. It is thought that Christians fleeing persecution by the Roman Emperor Nero more than a century earlier may have brought their faith into the region. Stories of the sacrifice of early Christian martyrs, such as the twelve from Scillium, led many people in the Mediterranean region to convert to the Christian faith during the second and early third centuries.
Perpetua was one of these converts. It is thought that she was in her early twenties when she began the process of formally converting from her family's pagan beliefs to Christianity. She was a catechumen, or a person studying the Christian faith in preparation for the Christian rite of initiation known as baptism.
According to Christian tradition, the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, who ruled in the late second and early third centuries, feared that increasing Christian fervor would reduce loyalty to the state among the converts and their neighbors. To stop this, the emperor was said to have issued a proclamation that all citizens had to offer a sacrifice to the pagan Roman gods. Anyone who refused would be arrested and killed.
Perpetua and two of her slaves, Felicitas and Revocatus, as well as two other young Carthaginians, were preparing for their baptism when the proclamation was issued. They all refused to yield to the emperor's request and were arrested.
Life's Work
A diary attributed to Perpetua details the experiences of the five catechumens after their arrest. Perpetua's diary, along with an account written by Saturnus, their teacher, and information provided in the writings of an observer, the historian Tertullian, make up a work entitled The Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas. This work provides most of what historians know about Perpetua and her companions.
The five catechumens and Saturnus, who joined them voluntarily, were imprisoned in terrible circumstances. Held in hot, dark, rat-infested cells, they received little in the way of food. This was especially hard on Perpetua, who was separated from her infant son, and Felicitas, who was eight months pregnant. Eventually, friends and family were able to bribe guards to provide better accommodations, and Perpetua was allowed to have her baby with her. Although this made the circumstances much more bearable, Perpetua was still saddened by how her imprisonment was affecting her family.
Her father visited her several times, begging her to deny any connection to Christianity and make the sacrifice to the pagan god. He brought Perpetua's son to her hearing and repeated his plea. Perpetua refused each time.
Perpetua's diary recounts several dreams she had that convinced her that she was in a fight with the devil and that her efforts would be rewarded in heaven. Saturnus also dreamed that they would receive rewards for their faithfulness. Both claimed these dreams gave them courage to face their trials.
After some time in prison, all six were sentenced to be killed by beasts in the arena. The custom of the time was for the condemned to have their final meal in a room surrounded by an audience from the public. Perpetua and her companions enjoyed what Christians call an agape meal, or love meal. During the meal, Perpetua and the others prayed and sang hymns and recited psalms. It was reported that their calm and faithful resolve impressed those who witnessed it.
When the time for their execution arrived, the men were dressed as if worshiping Roman gods. The women were put into the arena naked until the crowd objected to seeing two nursing mothers in the ring. (Felicitas gave birth two days before the execution.) The women were dressed in tunics before being placed in the arena with a number of vicious animals. The accounts written about their time in the arena say that they were in a sort of trance that prevented them from realizing they were being gored and injured by a bear, a vicious cow, a boar, and a leopard. Although the beasts wounded them, none of the martyrs was killed. As a result, they were all put to death by a sword stroke to the neck. When Perpetua's turn came, the executioner's first blow was not fatal. She is said to have guided the blade to the proper place for the final, fatal blow. Some sources say she died on March 7, 203; others say it was in 202. In the twenty-first century, March 7 was celebrated as her feast day in some Christian traditions.
Impact
The writings related to the martyrdom of Perpetua and her companions are among the most complete accounts available of the personal experiences of early Christian martyrs. It was well known to Christians in subsequent centuries because it was often read during times of worship, even though it was not included in the canonical, or official, teachings. Their story and steadfastness in the face of fear, pain, and persecution served as inspiration for generations of Christian martyrs that followed. Relics believed to be the remains of Perpetua were revered in a cathedral in Carthage for many years until they were lost. Her influence continues in the Eucharistic prayer used in some Christian worship services.
Personal Life
Although the existence of her infant son implies Perpetua had a husband, he is not mentioned in any of the records. Most sources assume Perpetua was a widow. Following her death, her family raised the child. Felicitas' child, born two days before her mother's execution, is said to have been raised by a Christian friend of the martyrs.
Bibliography
Fredrikksen, Paula. "The Martyrdom of Perpetua." PBS, www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/why/martyrs.html#perpetua. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
Holy Women, Holy Men: Celebrating the Saints. Church Publishing, 2010, pp. 262–3.
Kiefer, James E. "Perpetua and Her Companions, Martyrs at Carthage, March 7, 202." Anglican.org, justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/117.html. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
"The Martyrdom of Saints Perpetua and Felicitas." PBS, www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/maps/primary/perpetua.html. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
“The Passion of the Holy Martyrs Perpetua and Felicity." New Advent, 2023, www.newadvent.org/fathers/0324.htm. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
"Perpetua: High Society Believer." Christianity Today, www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/martyrs/perpetua.html. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
Turpin, Joanne. Women in Church History: 20 Stories for 20 Centuries. St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1990, pp. 13–20.