This is an occasional series of readings from and brief notes
and commentary upon Eusebius of Caesarea’s The
Ecclesiastical History: Book 8, chapter 10.
Notes and Commentary:
This chapter features a first-person
report from Phileas, bishop of Thmuis, a town in lower Egypt, on the tortures
and martyrdoms that took place in Alexandria during the Diocletian persecution.
Phileas is described as “a true lover both of wisdom and of God.” He wrote this
while he was himself imprisoned, and it was reported in the previous chapter
(8.9) that he himself had eventually suffered martyrdom by beheading.
Phileas expressed his admiration
for the “Christ-bearing” martyrs for their ability to remain steadfast despite undergoing
various gruesome tortures and sufferings for their faith. He draws upon the example
of Christ from the Servant Song of Philippians 2:5-11.
After cruel torture some were
placed in stocks, while others thrown to the ground. Some died under torture,
others later died from wounds suffered, while still others recovered and “gained
confidence.” When those in this last category were given the choice either to
go free and unmolested, if they offered abominable sacrifices, or to face death
if they remained steadfast, they chose death.
Conclusion:
This chapter continues the account
of the sufferings of Egyptian Christians during the Diocletian persecution. It
is striking in that it comes from a first-hand report from an imprisoned bishop
who would himself suffer martyrdom. Again, the courage and steadfastness of the
Diocletian martyrs is remembered with admiration.
JTR
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