Saint’s Life Story

His Early Life

Justin was born into a pagan family around the year 100 near ancient Shechem in Samaria, the hilly region to the north of Jerusalem, in the Judaea province, Roman Empire (modern Nablus, Palestine). His parents, probably of Greek origin, were able to give him a liberal education. So, in his youth, Justin enjoyed reading poetry and history. His thirst for knowledge had been awakened, and soon his attention turned to philosophy. Just as today, there were plenty of philosophies around and Justin tried each in turn.

Justin looked at the popular philosophy of Stoicism but abandoned it when he found it taught him nothing about God. Another teacher disgusted Justin when he demanded a fee before he had even tried to teach. The school of Pythagoras required a good knowledge of geometry and astronomy before he could proceed further. Justin seemed satisfied when he entered into the study of Platonism, which at least was interested in spiritual realities.

Pagan Convert

However one day when he was walking along the beach thinking about one of Plato’s sayings, he turned round and saw he was being followed by an old man. The stranger aroused Justin’s interest by telling him there was a philosophy nobler and more satisfying than the one he had been pursuing. The old man went on to tell him that God had revealed himself to the Hebrew prophets of old and that this revelation had reached its fulfilment in a man called Jesus Christ. He encouraged Justin to pray fervently so that the doors of light might be opened to allow him to obtain the knowledge which God alone could give.

After spending years studying pagan philosophies, his quest for religious truth led Justin to investigate the Christian religion. During his investigation, Justin found answers to the great questions of life and existence better than pagan philosophy. At the age of 30, Justin underwent a profound conversion to Christianity, taken place at Ephesus. It is said that this conversion occurred through his encounter with Scripture and witnessing the incredible faith and heroism of the Christian martyrs. Inspired by their example, Justin decided to dedicate his life to defending and explaining the Christian faith.

First Christian Apologist

Justin, with his philosophical and oratorical skills, embarked on a mission to engage in debates with pagans regarding the Christian beliefs. He aimed to demonstrate the rationality and truth of Christianity, hoping to convert skeptics and challenge the prevailing pagan ideologies of the time. Known as “the Philosopher,” he was the first layman to serve as an apologist – one who gives the reason (apologhía in Greek means, precisely, “defense”) for his faith, defending the new religion from the weighty accusations of both pagans and Jews, and to spread the Christian doctrine in terms suited to the culture of their time. His eloquence and persuasive arguments made him one of the first great Christian apologists.

Opened a School in Rome

Following his conversion and to facilitate his mission, Justin moved to Rome, Italy. Here, Justin opened a school in which he taught the best elements of Greek philosophy in the context of Christian belief in public debate. This school served as a platform for intellectuals and seekers to engage in discussions about Christianity, its teachings, and its relation to philosophy and other belief systems. Justin’s desire was to present Christianity as a philosophy that not only encompassed the deepest truths of existence but also addressed the ultimate questions of human life. Tatian was one of his pupils.

Writings

Justin was a prolific writer, and one of the first Christians to write about the Eucharistic liturgy of the early church. The two Apologies, or Defenses of the Christian faith, First Apology and Second Apology, and The Dialogue with Tryphon  , the Hebrew, are his only surviving works. In his other extant work, Dialogue with Trypho the Jew, Justin considers the proper relation between Christianity and Judaism. He allows that Jews may continue to observe the Law after conversion to Christianity, but insists that they should not compel other Christians to follow these traditions.

He spoke of his Apologies in the Senate to the Emperor Antoninus Pius and his sons, together with Marcus Antoninus Verus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus, who were cruelly persecuting the followers of Christ. By these Apologies and his vigorous disputations in defense of the faith, Justin obtained a public edict from the government to stay the slaughter of the Christians. But, Justin himself did not escape.

His Death

In the reign of Emeperor Marcus Aurelius, after disputing with the cynic philosopher Crescens, Justin was denounced by the latter to the authorities, according to Tatian. Justin was tried, together with six friends (two of them, Ephesus and Hierax, slaves educated by him). The Christian “Martyrdom of Justin” reports a record of the trial.

The Prefect Rusticus says: “Approach and sacrifice, all of you, to the gods.”

Justin responds: “No one in his right mind gives up piety for impiety.”

The Prefect Rusticus says: “If you do not obey, you will be tortured without mercy.”

Justin replies: “That is our desire, to be tortured for Our Lord, Jesus Christ, and so to be saved, for that will give us salvation and firm confidence at the more terrible universal tribunal of Our Lord and Saviour.
And all the martyrs said: Do as you wish; for we are Christians, and we do not sacrifice to idols.”

The Prefect Rusticus read the sentence: “Those who do not wish to sacrifice to the gods and to obey the emperor will be scourged and beheaded according to the laws.”

So, Justin was beheaded by the urban prefect Junius Rusticus.

Born:                    Around 100 in Flavia Neapolis, Judaea province, Roman Empire (now Nablus, Palestine)

Died:                    165 in Rome, Italy

Beatified:            Pre-Congregation

Canonized:         Pre-Congregation

Feast Day:          June 1

Patron Saint:    Apologists; Lecturers; Orators; Philosophers; Speakers

Source:

• • Memorial of St. Justin, martyr – June 01, 2013 – Liturgical Calendar | Catholic Culture
  • St. Justin Martyr: Apologist and Father of the Church – Catholic Fire
  • Jun 1 – St Justin, Apologist for the faith, martyr – Catholicireland.net
  • CatholicSaints.Info » Saint Justin Martyr
  • Saint Justin Martyr – Saint for a Minute: Saints & Blesseds
  • Justin Martyr – Wikipedia

Prayers

Video Link

Cradio Saint of the Day: Saint Justin Martyr – YouTube Video (CatholicSaints.Info)