St. Justin Martyr: Voice of Truth

St. Justin was born in Samaria, of Greek parents, somewhere about A.D. 100. He studied philosophy and eventually concluded that the God of the Christians was Father of all and Jesus Christ was the Son of God. He converted to Christianity and took up the role of an itinerant preacher. 

Like Paul, he felt himself a debtor to all men, of every race and rank in life, to teach them of his new Master and of the way of salvation. We see him at Ephesus using all his knowledge of Scripture to persuade a group of Jews to receive Jesus as the promised Christ. We hear him in his apologies to the Roman Emperors, not merely arguing as a philosopher for the toleration of Christians, but appealing personally to the sovereigns of the world to accept this new faith and to worship a crucified Lord. 

We see him in Rome, commending the truth to all who congregated there from every nation, and denouncing the falsehoods of heretics like Marcion and Crescens. His reward was a martyr's death in A.D. 163, when he and a large company of Christians were beheaded.

Justin's praises are sounded by the whole early Church. Writers like Ireneus and Tertullian borrowed very largely from his works; later Church Fathers appeal to him as to one speaking with authority.

He appears in the midst of the second century, like an old Hebrew prophet. He denounces woes upon Caesar if he does not repent. He feels that he is called to utter the truth of God, and so speaking, he knows no fear. And yet, with all his prophetic boldness, Justin was a philosopher and a broad thinker.

He spent the final years of his life in Rome, where he composed most of his written works, which include topics such as the Trinity, Christology, baptism, Mass, and the doctrine of creation.

One of my favorite pieces is his description of a typical Mass in the 2nd century.

And on the day which is called Sunday, there is an assembly…of all who live in cities or in country districts; and the records of the apostles, or the writings of the prophets, are read as long as we have time. Then the reader concludes, and the president verbally instructs and exhorts us to the imitation of these excellent things. Then we all rise together and offer up our prayers…when we have concluded our prayer, bread is brought, and wine and water, and the president in like manner offers up prayers and thanksgivings with all his strength, and the people give their assent by saying Amen; and there is a distribution and partaking by every one of the eucharistic elements, and to those who are not present they are sent by the hands of the deacons. And…those who…wish to do so, give what they will, each according to his choice; and what is collected is placed in the hands of the president, who assists the orphans, and widows…and…all who are in need…

Sunday is the day on which we hold our common assembly, because it is the day on which…Jesus Christ, our Savior…rose from the dead. St. Justin Martyr, pray for us.