Preliminary: The beginning of Christianity in Rome
Des hl. Apostle Peter's sermon from a heart full of lively faith and ardent love for Jesus in the capital of the world had the same success as in Jerusalem and Antioch. His word found its way even among the highest families. Flavius Clemens, brother of the Emperor Vespasian and the Roman consul, was a disciple of St.. Peter died under Emperor Domitian for Christ to his martyrdom. His wife, Domitilla, also used by the Flavian imperial family was exiled to the island Pandataria. Another Domitilla, Sister, daughter of the martyr and consul Flavius Clemens, had built on their country estate at the adreatinischen street a family tomb for the Flavian, their relatives, and because she was the desire of the Emperor to marry himself, was no hearing, was banished to the island Ponzia . These two were students of St. Domitilla. Peter. A spiritual daughter of the apostles was the hl. Petronilla, also from the family of de Flavian.
from day to day multiplied now the circle of disciples of the apostles. - The better among the Gentiles were never satisfying for her heart. They longed for an extremely solid doctrine, which to them information about their destination and the State after the death grant. The idolatry with its excesses Eckelt them to, they demanded of a model of human virtues, which they could follow, and all this took place in the teachings of the crucified and his followers and his example. They admired the Christians with whom they became known, the steadfast belief, for which she even dying were always ready, the high nobility of spirit, which every scorned vulgar and low, and the greatest self-denial, which was ready for God Everything surrender, and the unfeigned brotherly love, which also included the poorest and most wretched slaves who knew no revenge, only forgiveness and even the enemies and persecutors still Doing good, a humility that escaped all praise and all glory, and an inner peace and satisfaction, which could only have its roots in a pure conscience.
This beautiful example of the Christians saw the Gentiles attracted to the One who brought this out in those who believed in Him and faithfully followed His teachings - to Jesus, our Divine Saviour! - More and more, the number of Christians and as the Apostle Paul in his letter was to the Romans, he wrote 58 years after Christ's birth, saying: "Your faith is proclaimed throughout the world, and your obedience is known to have been everywhere . -
was also from the Jews at Rome already a significant number converted to Christianity. These were but of those Jews who remained obstinate, very worried and followed, it was a tumult and Emperor Claudius was 49 AD expel all Jews from Rome. Peter also left Rome and returned to the East. - In 51-52, he was at the Council of Jerusalem, which the apostles held to decide the dispute between Gentile and Jewish Christians on the binding of the Mosaic Law. After completion of the council are held Peter some time in Jerusalem, and later in Antioch, and then returned to his beloved disciple Mark to Rome.
managed with renewed zeal St. His holy apostles office. At his side stood the hl. Mark, who according to the unanimous testimony of Christian Antiquity at the request of the Christians of Rome, the sermons and lectures of St. Francis. Apostle of the life and deeds of Jesus recorded in his Gospel. -
The Roman Christian community was in full bloom, and the St.. Apostle Paul came to Rome. It has long been his desire to see there, the Christians and tell them the treasures of the gifts had their dispensers and servants made him God. He had hoped to welcome them with complete freedom, but his hope was not fulfilled. After his third missionary journey, he came to Jerusalem in captivity. In order to deprive him of the fury of the mob stirred up Jewish, he was in Caesarea in the residence of the Roman Procurator Felix, and brought here two years (58-60) kept in captivity. - On his replacement by Festus was procurator Felix returns the Apostles as a prisoner and appealed because now Paul against the Jews of urgency on his conviction to the Emperor, he was led away in chains to Rome.
where he arrived in the spring of 61st Roman Christians were to meet him to greet him. At Rome he was the commander of the Praetorian Guard (imperial bodyguard) Burrus Afranus allowed to hire the soldiers guarding him with a private dwelling. He was allowed because all who visited him, receive, and with all of the salvation which has appeared in Christ Jesus, speak, whence it came that his imprisonment just helped that knowledge of the teachings of Jesus urged other parties, and the changing of the guard holding the soldiers of the name of Jesus in the whole praetorian guard (the camp of the imperial bodyguard), and even in the palace of Emperor's faith and devotion found.
Here in his home he often visited St. Peter, stayed here his pupil and faithful companion of Luke, where he wrote his letter to the Ephesians, Colossians and Philippians, where he also wrote his touching letter to Philemon, a pious, respectable citizens to Colossae, and asked him, he might be slave Onesimus, who had run away from him and come to Rome, where he converted the Apostles, resume and forgive him. (Acts 28, 31 and 32). Here, although caught, he preached continuously Jews and Gentiles, and his eloquence and the grace of St. Francis. Spirit that accompanied his words, won more souls to Christianity. After two years he was released from captivity. He now went to Spain and went to Christian churches to Ephesus, he and Timothy Crete, he served as the Bishop Titus.
In the place where Saint. Apostles had lived, now the church of S. Maria in Via Lata is. - The early Christians built here an oratorio, which was later buried under the ruins of nearby houses. Currently, climb on steps down to the Place, which Paul lived. Here is a small marble altar on which the Saint. Pope Gregory the Great (+604) once the hl. Sacrifice of the Mass celebrated. In soil, a well is shown, the clear water bubbled to the prayer of the apostle, as he was the jailer baptized Martialis. In the church itself, which rises above the former oratory is on the high altar is the image of the Mother of God, which St. Luke is said to have painted.
initiated after removal of the apostle St Paul. Peter, the Church of Rome continued tirelessly with careful fidelity. His activity was limited, however, not only to Rome. He also sent his students into the various parts of Italy, and Gaul, present-day France, to Sicily, Spain, Africa, etc., to preach the gospel there and to found Christian communities.
During this time, had to endure many struggles with the apostle Simon the magician, the father of the heretics. Even earlier was St.. Acts with the comrades of Satan in Samaria met, where he the gifts of the Holy. Spirit wanted to buy with money. But Peter replied, "Your money is to ruin you, because you meant to have the gift of God for money ... therefore repent of your wickedness!" (Acts 8, 14-24) Simon remained obdurate, fell from the faith, seduced many Samaritans and spread godless teachings. Now he had come to Rome, to seduce souls. But Peter also opposed him and made him ashamed.
result The first persecution
