Wordless Wednesday - Persecution of Christians Under Valerian
The martyrdom of Saint (Pope) Sixtus II and his deacons. By Richard de Montbaston. 14th C. Public Domain. Courtesy of Wikipedia.
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August 6, 258 is the date on which Pope Sixtus II (pope from August 30, 257-August 6, 258) is said to have been beheaded. The pope was executed by soldiers sent to a cemetery on the infamous Appian Way (where during the final years of the Roman Republic, the rival gangs of Clodius Pulcher and Milo had come to blows and where the slaves from Spartacus' rebellion wound up crucified) to apprehend Sixtus and his four deacons, as part of Emperor Valerian's persecution of Christians. Valerian had issued an edict against Christians assembling in cemeteries. This same edict also ordered them to participate in the cults of the Roman gods. Valerian then issued another edict ordering the execution of Christian priests.
The execution of Sixtus II is described in a letter of Cyprian, who was executed soon after (September 14, 258). Cyprian was bishop of Carthage. Pope Sixtus II had helped reconcile the churches of Rome with those of North Africa and Asia Minor over the issue of re-baptizing of heretics.
Comments
I’d love to know where on Via Appia this happened. I’ve explored most of this famous road, and it’s just amazing to think of how much history happened on it.
So many brave people fighting (even if not physically) and dying for their beliefs. How much history is written in between the Appian Way’s paving stones…
What is most unbelievable to me is how relevant this image still is today. There are still many, many people in this world who are persecuted for their religious beliefs.
Yeah, gloat while you can, Valerian.
The Persians are gonna GET you! You’ll be sorry!
Thanks for the very interesting entry, Ms. Gill. I ended up clicking through a whole bunch of information on these guys, and learning a lot!
I forgot to do an entry on Cyprian. Oh, well!
I’m currently reading the history of England in the 16th Century. It’s amazing how the Catholics and Protestants of that time also persecuted each other, and wanted to make the other religion worship the gods/God they were doing battle for. Nothing changes.
As soon as I saw the word persecution I knew it would lead to your site
. So how is life treating you anyway? However bad things get in toays world, you gotta think it’s an improvement when you read someting like this. Thanks for helping me into th 21st century.
You know… I don’t THINK of my topic as covering only the ghastly stuff of life.