{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/009/0090191.htm","path":"chr/ecf/009/0090191.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/009/0090191.htm","text":"The Passion of the Scillitan Martyrs.\nWhen Pr\u00e6sens, for the second time, and Claudianus were the consuls, on the seventeenth day of July, at Carthage, there were set in the judgment-hall Speratus, Nartzalus, Cittinus, Donata, Secunda and Vestia.\nSaturninus the proconsul said: Ye can win the indulgence of our lord the Emperor, if ye return to a sound mind.\nSperatus said: We have never done ill, we have not lent ourselves to wrong, we have never spoken ill, but when ill-treated we have given thanks; because we pay heed to our Emperor.\nSaturninus the proconsul said: We too are religious, and our religion is simple, and we swear by the genius of our lord the Emperor, and pray for his welfare, as ye also ought to do.\nSperatus said: If thou wilt peaceably lend me thine ears, I can tell thee the mystery of simplicity.\nSaturninus said: I will not lend mine ears to thee, when thou beginnest to speak evil things of our sacred rites; but rather swear thou by the genius of our lord the Emperor.\nSperatus said: The empire of this world I know not; but rather I serve that God, whom no man hath seen, nor with these eyes can see. 4443 I have committed no theft; but if I have bought anything I pay the tax; because I know my Lord, the King of kings and Emperor of all nations.\nSaturninus the proconsul said to the rest: Cease to be of this persuasion.\nSperatus said: It is an ill persuasion to do murder, to speak false witness.\nSaturninus the proconsul said: Be not partakers of this folly.\nCittinus said: We have none other to fear, save only our Lord God, who is in heaven.\nDonata said: Honour to C\u00e6sar as C\u00e6sar: but fear to God. 4444\nVestia said: I am a Christian.\nSecunda said: What I am, that I wish to be.\nSaturninus the proconsul said to Speratus: Dost thou persist in being a Christian?\nSperatus said: I am a Christian. And with him they all agreed.\nSaturninus the proconsul said: Will ye have a space to consider?\nSperatus said: In a matter so straightforward there is no considering.\nSaturninus the proconsul said: What are the things in your chest?\nSperatus said: Books and epistles of Paul, a just man.\nSaturninus the proconsul said: Have a delay of thirty days and bethink yourselves.\nSperatus said a second time: I am a Christian. And with him they all agreed.\nSaturninus the proconsul read out the decree from the tablet: Speratus, Nartzalus, Cittinus, Donata, Vestia, Secunda and the rest having confessed that they live according to the Christian rite, since after opportunity offered them of returning to the custom of the Romans they have obstinately persisted, it is determined that they be put to the sword.\nSperatus said: We give thanks to God.\nNartzalus said: To-day we are martyrs in heaven; thanks be to God.\nSaturninus the proconsul ordered it to be declared by the herald: Speratus, Nartzalus, Cittinus, Veturius, Felix, Aquilinus, L\u00e6tantius, Januaria, Generosa, Vestia, Donata and Secunda, I have ordered to be executed.\nThey all said: Thanks be to God.\nAnd so they all together were crowned with martyrdom; and they reign with the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, for ever and ever. Amen.\nCf. Rom. xiii. 7.","title":"Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol IX: The Passion of the Scillitan...","type":"page"}