From Baptism to the Dungeon
Just before her death, Perpetua handed over her personal writings from prison to an anonymous “editor.” (Many scholars believe this editor was Tertullian.) Her writings and the eyewitness report of the executions have been saved for Christians today. The “Passion of Perpetua and Felicity” is actually the oldest writings by a Christian woman in existence. I pray you will be inspired as I was by the excerpts from the following pages. Perpetua begins with a conversation she had with her father while she was still under house arrest: My father, out of love for me was trying to persuade me and shake my resolution. “Father,” said I, “do you see this vase here, for example, or waterpot or whatever?” “Yes, I do,” said he. And I told him: “Could it be called by any other name than what it is?” And he said: “No.” “Well, so too I cannot be called anything other than what I am, a Christian.” At this my father was so angered by the word “Christian” that he moved towards me as though he would pluck my eyes out. But he left it at that and departed, vanquished along with his diabolical arguments.
A few days after being put under house arrest, Perpetua and several others insisted on being baptized, even though it was only the fact that they were still catechumens that was keeping them from the dungeon. When the authorities found out, they imprisoned them: I was terrified, as I had never before been in such a dark hole. What a difficult time it was! With the crowd the heat was stifling; then there was the extortion of the soldiers; and to crown all, I was tortured with worry for my baby there.
Then Tertius and Pomponius, those blessed deacons who tried to take care of us, bribed the soldiers to allow us to go to a better part of the prison to refresh ourselves for a few hours. Everyone then left that dungeon and shifted for himself. I nursed my baby, who was faint from hunger. In my anxiety I spoke to my mother about the child, I tried to comfort my brother, and I gave the child in their charge. I was in pain because I saw them suffering out of pity for me. These were the trials I had to endure for many days. Then I got permission for my baby to stay with me in prison. At once I recovered my health, relieved as I was of my worry and anxiety over the child. My prison had suddenly become a palace, so that I wanted to be there rather than anywhere else.
While in the dungeon, Perpetua asked for a vision from the Lord, and He answered. “I saw a golden ladder of marvelous height, reaching up even to heaven, and very narrow, and under the ladder itself was crouching a dragon of enormous size, who lay in wait for those who ascended, and frightened them from the ascent… And I said, ‘In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, he shall not hurt me. And from under the ladder itself, as if in fear of me, he slowly lifted up his head; and as I trod upon the first step, I trod upon his head!” After that, her vision ended with a welcome from a white-haired man into a beautiful field—it was heaven. The interpretation of this vision was clear to Perpetua. Their imprisonment was going to result in torture and death for their faith. Yet, they would be blessed with the power to trample the head of the dragon (Satan) as true confessors of Jesus Christ—and they would be received with welcoming arms by the Great Shepherd and the saints waiting for them in heaven.
To be continued…
Date: 16th March 2024
Martyr: Vibia Perpetua & Felicity
Location: Carthage (modern-day Tunisia), North Africa
Source: God’s Generals – The Martyrs
Author: Roberts Liardon
Suffering Saturday 082
Previous post
Next post
