The martyrdom of St. Justin and his companions

And when the idolaters, in all countries and cities, had made a wicked decree against the godly and goodly Christians, to compel every one that believeth in Christ to sacrifice to idols, the holy martyrs, Justinus, Hariton, and Harita, and Ewelpis, and Herax, and Peon, and Valerian, were taken, and brought to Rome, and brought before the governor Rusticus, who said unto Justinus,

"Obey the gods and the decrees of the emperor, or you will be condemned. " St. Justinus said to him", No one can ever be condemned if he obeys the commands of our Savior Jesus Christ.

"I have diligently studied all external doctrines and attained to the art of all knowledge, but then I joined the true Christian doctrine, even though it was not approved by those who err in false wisdom". Then said Rustikos: "So you, the deceased, love doctrines contrary to our wisdom? Yes, I do", answered St. Justin, "for I follow the right Christian doctrine. What doctrine is this?"

The only God, the Creator of all things visible and invisible, and the belief in his Son, Jesus Christ, whom the prophets long ago proclaimed to be the Judge of all the world. He is a preacher of salvation and a teacher of those who are willing to do good.

O his infinite God, I, a weak man, the least of all, cannot speak with sufficient strength, but I confess what was foretold by the prophets of long ago, that they foretold the descent to earth of him whom I called the Son of God.

"Everyone goes where he wants and can. Do you think that we all gather in one place? This is impossible, because the Christian God does not live in any place, but is invisible, fills heaven and earth, is worshipped everywhere by his faithful, and his glory is proclaimed everywhere". The mayor said, "Tell us where you gather, and where you gather your disciples".

"I came to Rome a second time, and I don't know of any other place but that one. "All those who wanted to come to me I welcomed into the truth. "Are you a Christian? " asked Justus. "Yes, I am".

Then Rusticus asked his blessed wife Harita if she too followed the faith of Christ; Harita also declared herself a Christian, by the grace of God. Then Rusticus asked Evelpistus: And who are you? I am the king's slave, he answered; but as a Christian, Christ himself gave me liberty; by his mercy and grace I have become a partaker of the same hope as those whom you see. Then the mayor asked Ieraxus if he was also a Christian. Ierax answered him:

"I am a Christian", replied the mayor. "Justin made you a Christian". "Yes, I have been, and I will always be a Christian". "Who taught you to be a Christian?"

"I was brought up by my parents in the faith", he said, "but I was born a Jew. I come from Iconium in Phrygia".

And the governor turned to Valerian, and urged him to answer, saying, Thou art also a Christian, and art not zealous for the gods? And Valerian said, I also am a Christian, and I worship the one true God, and worship Him, and abhor your gods. And the governor again said to Justinus, Hear, thou that art called eloquent, and art reputed to follow the true doctrine: if thou be covered with boils from head to foot, thinkest thou that thou wilt enter into heaven?

And Justin answered, If I bear the torment of which thou hast spoken, I hope to receive the same reward from my Lord, which is prepared for those who keep the doctrine of Christ; for I know that the secret grace of God awaits all who have lived piously and have suffered for God's sake, until the end of the world.

And the king said unto him, If thou wilt not hearken unto my voice, and if thou wilt not hearken unto my voice, and if thou wilt not hearken unto my voice, and if thou wilt not hearken unto my voice, and if thou wilt not hearken unto my voice, and if thou wilt not hearken unto my voice, and if thou wilt not hearken unto my voice, and if thou wilt not hearken unto my voice, and if thou wilt not hearken unto my voice, and if thou wilt not hearken unto my voice, and if thou wilt not hearken unto my voice, and if thou wilt not hearken unto my voice, and if thou wilt not hearken unto my voice, and if thou wilt not hearken unto my voice, and if thou wilt not hearken unto my voice, and if thou wilt not hearken unto my voice, and if thou wilt not hearken unto my voice, and if thou wilt not hearken unto my voice, and if thou wilt not hearken unto my voice, and if thou wilt not hearken unto my voice, then I will not hearken unto thee.

And Justin answered, "We desire to suffer for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ and to be saved, for these sufferings give us salvation and boldness in His terrible judgment, to which by the command of God the whole world will appear". And so did all the other holy martyrs, saying together, "Fulfill your purpose quickly; we Christians will not sacrifice to idols".

"Those who refuse to sacrifice to the gods or obey the emperor's decree are to be punished with the rod and sentenced to death by beheading according to Roman law.

Then some of the faithful secretly took their honest bodies and buried them in a worthy place, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.