Category:Martyrdom of Paul (event)

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Martyrdom of Paul refers to an episode in the lives of Paul of Tarsus, and the early Church, as narrated in early Christian traditions (Eusebius).

< Life of Paul  : Paul's Early Life -- Paul Persecuting the Church -- Conversion of Paul -- Paul's First Missionary Journey -- Council of Jerusalem -- Incident at Antioch -- Paul's Second Missionary Journey -- Paul's Third Missionary Journey -- Paul's Last Visit to Jerusalem -- Paul in Caesarea -- Paul's Journey to Rome -- Paul in Rome -- Martyrdom of Paul -- Relics of Paul >

Overview

According to Christian tradition, Paul and Peter were both imprisoned under Nero at the Mamertine Prison in Rome, and then executed. Peter was crucified, while Paul, who was a Roman citizen, was beheaded.

Martyrdom of Paul, in ancient sources

1 Clement

1 Clement 5: "But not to dwell upon ancient examples, let us come to the most recent spiritual heroes. Let us take the noble examples furnished in our own generation. Through envy and jealousy, the greatest and most righteous pillars [of the Church] have been persecuted and put to death. Let us set before our eyes the illustrious apostles. Peter, through unrighteous envy, endured not one or two, but numerous labours, and when he had finally suffered martyrdom, departed to the place of glory due to him. Owing to envy, Paul also obtained the reward of patient endurance, after being seven times thrown into captivity, compelled to flee, and stoned. After preaching both in the east and west, he gained the illustrious reputation due to his faith, having taught righteousness to the whole world, and come to the extreme limit of the west, and suffered martyrdom under the prefects. Thus was he removed from the world, and went into the holy place, having proved himself a striking example of patience.

Eusebius, Historia ecclesiastica

Book II, 25:5-8 -- [5] ...It is recorded that Paul was beheaded in Rome itself, and that Peter likewise was crucified under Nero. This account of Peter and Paul is substantiated by the fact that their names are preserved in the cemeteries of that place even to the present day. [6] It is confirmed likewise by Caius, a member of the Church, who arose under Zephyrinus, bishop of Rome. He, in a published disputation with Proclus, the leader of the Phrygian heresy, speaks as follows concerning the places where the sacred corpses of the aforesaid apostles are laid: [7] But I can show the trophies of the apostles. For if you will go to the Vatican or to the Ostian way, you will find the trophies of those who laid the foundations of this church. [8] And that they both suffered martyrdom at the same time is stated by Dionysius, bishop of Corinth, in his epistle to the Romans, in the following words: You have thus by such an admonition bound together the planting of Peter and of Paul at Rome and Corinth. For both of them planted and likewise taught us in our Corinth. And they taught together in like manner in Italy, and suffered martyrdom at the same time. I have quoted these things in order that the truth of the history might be still more confirmed.

Martyrdom of Paul, in the arts

Martyrdom of Paul, its locations according to Christian tradition

The Mamertine Prison

At the Mamertine Prison in Rome, an altar commemorates the tradition that Peter and Paul were imprisoned there. The church of San Giuseppe dei Falegnami now stands above the Mamertine.

  • The Mamertine Prison

  • The Church of San Giuseppe dei Falegnami

The Abbazia delle Tre Fontane

The Abbazia delle Tre Fontane at Rome, Italy, supposedly marks the site of Paul's martyrdom. The church displays the Marble column in which Paul was bound as well as the slab of marble on which he was executed. Three small buildings mark the three fountains that the legend says miraculously appeared where the head of Paul fell, bouncing on the ground.

  • The Church of Saint Paul Apostle

  • The Interior of the Church, with the column of the beheading

External links

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