Below are quotations about persecution from the writings of the church fathers. Persecution was a fact of life for believers in the first and second centuries. For them, to be Christian was to be disconnected from community, family, and political life. Today, persecution is still a thing that believers unfortunately must still endure. However, for many of us, the days of being tried for our confession are a distant memory. Consequently, there is much we can learn about what it means to be Christian from those who gave their lives for the Gospel.
The Apostolic Fathers
Polycarp to the Philippians
I have greatly rejoiced with you in our Lord Jesus Christ, because ye have followed the example of true love [as displayed by God], and have accompanied, as became you, those who were bound in chains, the fitting ornaments of saints, and which are indeed the diadems of the true elect of God and our Lord.
Chapter 1
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