Perpetua and Felicitas

Perpetua and Felicitas

One of the earliest inspirational writings of the church was the account of the martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas. These two young women, both around 22 years old, were martyred under the persecution of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, in the year 203. Perpetua was a young noblewoman, Felicitas her slave. They were apprehended while taking a class for new converts in their hometown of Carthage, in northern Africa – a requirement for baptism. What we know about them comes from Perpetua’s own writing as well as contemporary accounts of their martyrdom from those who were there.

The Scriptures taught that slave and master, while different in social position in that society, were brothers and sisters in Christ with those who were free. In Philemon, Paul writes to his friend about his runaway slave Onesimus, to receive him back “…no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother…” (v16).

Perpetua and Felicitas were fast friends – sisters in their Faith. While nothing is known about their husbands, writing of the account reveal that Perpetua was a brand new mother and Felicitas was well along in her pregnancy when they were imprisoned. Felicitas actually gave birth while in prison. Some of the guards were able to be bribed to allow Perpetua and Felicitas to breast-feed their babies while in prison.

Perpetua’s father came to the prison, by her own writing, four times to plead with her to reject her faith. She writes that on one of these occasions, she said to her father, “Father, do you see that vase over there?” “Yes,” he replied. “Can it be called anything other than it is, a vase?” “Of course not,” was his retort. Perpetua replied with finality, “Well then, I also cannot be called anything other that what I am, a Christian.” Her father brought up the fate of her baby to her to try to dissuade her from admitting her guilt. During her trial, her father actually had to be beaten back by the guards, after interrupting the proceedings with great cries of grief. This caused her a great deal of anguish, but she saw this all as a test of her faith.

Perpetua, Felicitas, and their fellow-Christians were sentenced to the arena, where they would be torn apart by wild beasts and finished off by gladiators, if needed. When the carnage began, Perpetua was tossed by a wild bull and landed on her back, tearing her tunic. She adjusted her tunic for modesty’s sake and walked over to help up her friend who had suffered a similar minor injury. Then, a wild leopard was let loose and a few of their friends were killed. The bloodthirsty crowd began to grow impatient and chanted for their death. Soldiers were brought in to dispatch the survivors. The prisoners were lined up for execution, Perpetua taking a moment to fix up her hair so as not to appear to be in mourning. The church father Tertullian writes that a youthful soldier was assigned to slay Perpetua. When his hand wavered, she gently took his hand with the sword, and helped him guide it to her throat.

The martyrdom of these two ladies, and the subsequent telling of their tale, has been an inspiration to Christians ever since. They are regarded as Saints in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions, and are honorably recognized in many other denominational traditions as well. It underscored that Christianity transcended societal classes and norms.

https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/martyrs/perpetua.html
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/tertullian24.html