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Perpetua was part of a small fellowship of new Christians in the ancient Roman city of Carthage, located in what is now Tunisia. City officials considered anyone who refused to worship pagan deities or the emperor to be threats to civil order, but the 22-year-old mother was determined to follow Christ.
Perpetua and other believers were arrested and detained in a Roman jail for their commitment to Christ. Perpetua’s father urged her to abandon her faith, but she was resolute.
Eventually, the imprisoned Christians were ordered to appear before a Roman official. As they approached the high official, Perpetua’s father suddenly appeared, holding her infant. “Have pity on your babe!” he cried. The official urged her to offer a sacrifice to the emperor to save her own life. She refused. “Are you a Christian?” the official asked. “I am a Christian,” she replied.
On March 7, A.D. 203, Perpetua and other Christians were led into Carthage’s coliseum and killed in front of a bloodthirsty crowd of spectators. The killing of Perpetua and others inspired the church to thrive in Carthage and follow Christ — at any cost.
Day of the Christian Martyr is a special time when Christians remember those who have given their lives for the advancement of the gospel. This month, we hope you will be inspired by their faithful witness, committing to share Christ boldly in your own community.
You can download the free Digital Resource Kit to use in person or online with your family, group, class or church. All digital resources are available in English and in Spanish.
According to church tradition, June 29 marks the martyrdom of the Apostle Paul. This month, join Christians around the world in remembering the faithful witness of those who, like Paul, have given their lives for the advancement of the gospel. And be inspired by their example to have that same boldness to share Christ in your community.
Inspire your family, group, class or church to be bold witnesses for Christ at any cost.
“But [Stephen], full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. … Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him.”—Acts 7:55, 58
“But [Stephen], full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. … Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him.”
Watch the award-winning Torchlighters series, including the story of Perpetua. (All 16 episodes are also available for free on the VOM App.)
A 144-page, full-color activity book with devotionals, fun activities and beautiful coloring pages. (All 16 episodes are also available for free on the VOM App.)
This series includes the stories of six faithful followers of Christ who boldly proclaimed the gospel in the face of persecution. Those stories include Stephen, Paul, Thomas, Nicholas, Valentine and Patrick.
This edition includes the stories of more than 200 Christian martyrs, spanning heroes of the early church up to the 21st century. (Hardcover, 508 pp.)
See the stories of the earliest martyrs in church history through this special illustrated version of Voices of the Martyrs. (Hardcover, 520 pp.)