Acts of the Martyrdom of St Justin and his companion saints
(year 165)
The saints were seized and brought before the prefect of Rome, whose name was Rusticus. As they stood before the judgment seat, Rusticus the prefect said to Justin, “Above all, declare your faith in the gods and obey the command of the emperor.” Justin said, “We cannot be accused or condemned for obeying the commands of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Rusticus said, “What system of teaching do you profess?” Justin said, “I have tried to learn about every system, but I have accepted the true doctrines of the Christians; these are not accepted by those obstinate in error.”
The prefect Rusticus said, “Do you believe these doctrines, wretch that you are?” Justin said, “Yes, and I follow them with their correct interpretation.”
The prefect Rusticus said, “What sort of doctrine is that?” Justin said, “To adore the God of the Christians. We believe that He is from the beginning the One Creator and Maker of the whole creation, of things seen and unseen. We worship also the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He was foretold by the prophets as the future herald of salvation for the human race and the Teacher of distinguished disciples. For myself, I am just a human being; what I say is insignificant in comparison with his infinite majesty. I acknowledge the existence of a prophetic Spirit; for the Son of God was announced by prophecies. I know that the prophets were inspired from above when they spoke of his coming among men.”
Rusticus said, “Are you a Christian, then?” Justin said, “Yes, I am a Christian.”
The prefect said to Justin, “They say you are a learned man, and you declare to know what is the true doctrine. Listen; if you were scourged and beheaded, would you be convinced that you shall go up to heaven?” Justin said, “I hope that I shall enter God’s house if I suffer in that way. For I know that God’s grace is bestowed on all who follow him, and this, until the end of the world.”
The prefect Rusticus said, “Do you have an idea that you will go up to heaven to receive some sort of reward?” Justin said, “It is not an idea that I have; I am convinced of it; it is something I know well and hold to be most certain.”
The prefect Rusticus ordered to all the accused, “Now let us go to the point at issue, which is necessary and urgent. Gather together, then, and without more discussion, offer sacrifice to the gods.” Justin said, “No one in his right mind throws himself down from the true worship to false worship.”
The prefect Rusticus said, “If you do not do as you are commanded, you will be tortured without mercy.” Justin said, “We hope to suffer torment for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, and so be saved. This will bring us salvation; and so, we will stand with confidence in the more terrible and universal judgment of our Lord and Savior.”
In the same way, the other martyrs also said, “Do what you will; we are Christians; we do not offer sacrifice to idols.”
The prefect Rusticus pronounced sentence, saying, “Let those who have refused to sacrifice to the gods and to obey the command of the emperor be scourged and led away to suffer capital punishment according to the ruling of the laws.”
Glorifying God, the holy martyrs went out to the accustomed place. They were beheaded, and so accomplished their mission in martyrdom, confessing their faith in their Savior.
The saints were seized and brought before the prefect of Rome, whose name was Rusticus. As they stood before the judgment seat, Rusticus the prefect said to Justin, “Above all, declare your faith in the gods and obey the command of the emperor.” Justin said, “We cannot be accused or condemned for obeying the commands of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Rusticus said, “What system of teaching do you profess?” Justin said, “I have tried to learn about every system, but I have accepted the true doctrines of the Christians; these are not accepted by those obstinate in error.”
The prefect Rusticus said, “Do you believe these doctrines, wretch that you are?” Justin said, “Yes, and I follow them with their correct interpretation.”
The prefect Rusticus said, “What sort of doctrine is that?” Justin said, “To adore the God of the Christians. We believe that He is from the beginning the One Creator and Maker of the whole creation, of things seen and unseen. We worship also the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He was foretold by the prophets as the future herald of salvation for the human race and the Teacher of distinguished disciples. For myself, I am just a human being; what I say is insignificant in comparison with his infinite majesty. I acknowledge the existence of a prophetic Spirit; for the Son of God was announced by prophecies. I know that the prophets were inspired from above when they spoke of his coming among men.”
Rusticus said, “Are you a Christian, then?” Justin said, “Yes, I am a Christian.”
The prefect said to Justin, “They say you are a learned man, and you declare to know what is the true doctrine. Listen; if you were scourged and beheaded, would you be convinced that you shall go up to heaven?” Justin said, “I hope that I shall enter God’s house if I suffer in that way. For I know that God’s grace is bestowed on all who follow him, and this, until the end of the world.”
The prefect Rusticus said, “Do you have an idea that you will go up to heaven to receive some sort of reward?” Justin said, “It is not an idea that I have; I am convinced of it; it is something I know well and hold to be most certain.”
The prefect Rusticus ordered to all the accused, “Now let us go to the point at issue, which is necessary and urgent. Gather together, then, and without more discussion, offer sacrifice to the gods.” Justin said, “No one in his right mind throws himself down from the true worship to false worship.”
The prefect Rusticus said, “If you do not do as you are commanded, you will be tortured without mercy.” Justin said, “We hope to suffer torment for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, and so be saved. This will bring us salvation; and so, we will stand with confidence in the more terrible and universal judgment of our Lord and Savior.”
In the same way, the other martyrs also said, “Do what you will; we are Christians; we do not offer sacrifice to idols.”
The prefect Rusticus pronounced sentence, saying, “Let those who have refused to sacrifice to the gods and to obey the command of the emperor be scourged and led away to suffer capital punishment according to the ruling of the laws.”
Glorifying God, the holy martyrs went out to the accustomed place. They were beheaded, and so accomplished their mission in martyrdom, confessing their faith in their Savior.