Saint Paul of Tarsus: Home

You will need to log in to Australian Catholics to view the two articles below. Ask your teacher or the library for log-in details.

In early Christianity, the apostles were "witnesses" of what they observed in the life of Christ, as well as of what they had learned from His teaching. Yet, these disciples of Christ were not ordinary witnesses such as those who gave testimony in a court of justice.

As Christian witnesses, they were exposed to grave dangers, including suffering the ultimate penalty for their convictions. They were often asked to deny what they had witnessed or face execution. From this stage, "martyr" came to refer to a person who would willingly if not gladly be put to death rather than deny the faith he had come to accept with such firm conviction.

Eventually, the term "martyr" was applied exclusively to those who died for their faith. Martyrdom, nonetheless, was always clearly distinguished from suicide or anything suggestive of suicide. According to St. Gregory of Nazianzus, it is mere rashness to seek death, but it is cowardly to refuse it. In the modern age, G.K. Chesterton has remarked that the Christian "must desire life like water and yet drink death like wine."

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that " [m]artyrdom is the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith: it means bearing witness even unto death" (no. 2473).

Use the Encyclopedia Britannica button (above) to search for the following article:

• St Paul the Apostle

Use the Understanding Faith button (above) to search for the following information:

• Saint Paul

You will need to log in to view the infomation. Ask your teacher or the library for log-in details.

Use the Understanding Faith button (above) to search for the following information:

• Paul, Apostle, St.
• Paul, Missionary Journeys

Use the Understanding Faith button (above) to search for the following information:

• Paul, Saint
• Saint Paul