Saints Perpetua and Felicity

Saints Perpetua and Felicity were Christian martyrs in Carthage, in Roman Africa, who died in the year 203. Saint Perpetua was only 22,  a young mother from a patrician family. Saint Felicity was her slave, who was pregnant at the time of their arrest, and ended up giving birth in prison. They refused offers to offer sacrifices to pagan gods  in exchange for their freedom, were mauled by beasts in a Roman arena, and were finally put to the sword.   Their martyrdom was especially notable because Saint Perpetua's account of her days in prison before her execution was preserved, This text is possibly the oldest piece of writing we have by a Christian woman.

We read sections from that text, entitled the Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity, and contemplate the courage and sacrifice of these holy martyrs.

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Transcript

 Welcome to the Christian Saints Podcast. My name is Darren Ong, recording from Sepang in Malaysia. In this podcast, we explore the lives of the Christian saints, from the Anglican, Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions. Today, we will celebrate the martyrs Saint Perpetua and Saint Felicity.

 Saints Perpetua and Felicity were martyred around the year 203, during one of the many persecutions by the Roman Empire against Christians. Perpetua was from a patrician family in Carthage in North Africa. She was 22-years-old at the time, and the mother of a young child. Saint Felicity was her slave, who was pregnant at the time of her arrest. A few other Christians were also arrested with them, inlcluding Perpetua’s brother Saturus. They were condemned to die in a Roman arena, to be mauled by beasts.
 
 Christians being condemned to martyrdom was a common feature in the early years of the Christian faith. Jesus himself warned his followers, in Matthew 24:9 that “you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.” In this podcast we have already published episodes about the stories of Saint Stephen, Christianity’s first martyr, and Saint Agnes of Rome, who was merely a little girl when she was killed. The Christian calendar of saints is filled to the brim with many brave martyrs who died for Christ in the Roman Empire’s persecution. 
 
 But Saints Perpetua and Felicity are unique because we have a first-hand account of their martyrdom. There is a remarkable text called the “Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity” which contains extracts of Saint Perpetua’s diary before her death. Even secular historians commonly regard this diary to likely be the authentic writings of the martyr. This makes this text one of the earliest known writings by a Christian woman.
 
 The Passion has been compiled by an unknown editor. Some traditions say that the editor is Tertullian, a prominent Christian theologian who was living in Carthage around this time. The first part of Perpetua’s account details a conflict with her father. It would have been an easy matter for Perpetua and her comrades to avoid death. They simply had to offer a sacrifice to the Roman gods, and Perpetua’s father urged her not to abandon her family to martyrdom. I use here a translation of the Passion by W.H. Shewring, published in 1931:

When, she said, we were still under legal surveillance and my father was liked to vex me with his words and continually strove to hurt my faith because of his love: Father, said I, Do you see (for examples) this vessel lying, a pitcher or whatsoever it may be? And he said, I see it. And I said to him, Can it be called by any other name than that which it is? And he answered, No. So can I call myself nought other than that which I am, a Christian. 

Then my father angry with this word came upon me to tear out my eyes; but he only vexed me, and he departed vanquished, he and the arguments of the devil. Then because I was without my father for a few days I gave thanks unto the Lord; and I was comforted because of his absence. In this same space of a few days we were baptised, and the Spirit declared to me, I must pray for nothing else after that water save only endurance of the flesh. After a few days we were taken into prison, and I was much afraid because I had never known such darkness. O bitter day! There was a great heat because of the press, there was cruel handling of the soldiers. Lastly I was tormented there by care for the child. 

Then Tertius and Pomponius, the blessed deacons who ministered to us, obtained with money that for a few hours we should be taken forth to a better part of the prison and be refreshed. Then all of them going out from the dungeon took their pleasure; I suckled my child that was now faint with hunger. And being careful for him, I spoke to my mother and strengthened my brother and commended my son unto them. I pined because I saw they pined for my sake. Such cares I suffered for many days; and I obtained that the child should abide with me in prison; and straightway I became well and was lightened of my labour and care for the child; and suddenly the prison was made a palace for me, so that I would sooner be there than anywhere else. 
 
 A few days after, the report went abroad that we were to be tried. Also my father returned from the city spent with weariness; and he came up to me to cast down my faith saying: Have pity, daughter, on my grey hairs; have pity on your father, if I am worthy to be, called father by you; if with these hands I have brought you unto this flower of youth- and I-have preferred you before all your brothers; give me not over to the reproach of men. Look upon your brothers; look upon your mother and mother's sister; look upon your son, who will not endure to live after you. Give up your resolution; do not destroy us all together; for none of us will speak openly against men again if you suffer aught. 

This he said fatherly in his love, kissing my hands and grovelling at my feet; and with tears he named me, not daughter, but lady. And I was grieved for my father's case because he would not rejoice at my passion out of all my kin; and I comforted him, saying: That shall be done at this tribunal, whatsoever God shall please; for know that we are not established in our own power, but in God's. And he went from me very sorrowful. 
 
 Another day as we were at meal we were suddenly snatched away to be tried; and we came to the forum. Therewith a report spread abroad through the parts near to the forum, and a very great multitude gathered together. We went up to the tribunal. The others being asked, confessed. So they came to me. And my father appeared there also, with my son, and would draw me from the step, saying: Perform the Sacrifice; have mercy on the child. And Hilarian the procurator - he that after the death of Minucius Timinian the proconsul had received in his room the right and power of the sword - said: Spare your father's grey hairs; spare the infancy of the boy. Make sacrifice for the Emperors' prosperity. And I answered: I am a Christian. And when my father stood by me yet to cast down my faith, he was bidden by Hilarian to be cast down and was smitten with a rod. And I sorrowed for my father's harm as though I had been smitten myself; so sorrowed I for his unhappy old age. Then Hilarian passed sentence upon us all and condemned us to the beasts; and cheerfully we went down to the dungeon. Then because my child had been used to being breastfed and to staying with me in the prison, straightway I sent Pomponius the deacon to my father, asking for the child. But my father would not give him. And as God willed, no longer did he need to be suckled, nor did I take fever; that I might not be tormented by care for the child and by the pain of my breasts. 

Perpetua and Felicity both received visions from Christ to encourage and warn them in the ordeals to come. Her first vision of a ladder occurred, when Perpetua and her brother Saturus were speculating whether God would deliver them from the ordeal, or if they would indeed be martyrs – in the language of the text, whether this be a deliverance of a passion. 
 
 “Then said my brother to me: Lady my sister, you are now in high honor, even such that you might ask for a vision; and it should be shown you whether this be a passion or else a deliverance. And I, as knowing that I conversed with the Lord, for Whose sake I had suffered such things, did promise him nothing doubting; and I said: Tomorrow I will tell you. And I asked, and this was shown me. 

I beheld a ladder of bronze, marvelously great, reaching up to heaven; and it was narrow, so that not more than one might go up at one time. And in the sides of the ladder were planted all manner of things of iron. There were swords there, spears, hooks, and knives; so that if any that went up took not good heed or looked not upward, he would be torn and his flesh cling to the iron. And there was right at the ladder's foot a serpent lying, marvelously great, which lay in wait for those that would go up, and frightened them that they might not go up. Now Saturus went up first (who afterwards had of his own free will given up himself for our -sakes, because it was he who had edified us; and when we were taken he had not been there). And he came to the ladder's head; and he turned and said: Perpetua, I await you; but see that serpent bite you not. And I said: it shall not hurt me, in the name of Jesus Christ. And from beneath the ladder, as though it feared me, it softly put forth its head; and as though I trod on the first step I trod on its head. And I went up, and I saw a very great space of garden, and in the midst a man sitting, white-headed, in shepherd's clothing, tall milking his sheep; and standing around in white were many thousands. And he raised his head and beheld me and said to me: Welcome, child. And he cried to me, and from the curd he had from the milk he gave me as it were a morsel; and I took it with joined hands and ate it up; and all that stood around said, Amen. And at the sound of that word I awoke, yet eating I know not what of sweet. 

And at once I told my brother, and we knew it should be a passion; and we began to have no hope any longer in this world. “
 
The second vision that Perpetua records is right before she was to enter the arena, and indeed this is the last entry preserved in her diary. In this vision she fights an Egyptian, and she interprets this vision to mean that her struggle will be against the devil himself.
 
 “ The day before we fought, I saw in a vision that Pomponius the deacon had come hither to the door of the prison, and knocked hard upon it. And I went out to him and opened to him; he was clothed in a white robe ungirdled, having shoes curiously wrought. And he said to me: Perpetua, we await you; come. And he took my hand, and we began to go through rugged and winding places. At last with much breathing hard we came to the amphitheatre, and he led me into the midst of the arena. And he said to me: Be not afraid; I am here with you and labour together with you. And he went away. And I saw much people watching closely. And because I knew that I was condemned to the beasts I marvelled that beasts were not sent out against me. And there came out against me a certain ill-favored Egyptian with his helpers, to fight with me. Also there came to me comely young men, my helpers and aiders. And I was stripped naked, and I became a man. And my helpers began to rub me with oil as their custom is for a contest; and over against me saw that Egyptian wallowing in the dust. And there came forth a man of very great stature, so that he overpassed the very top of the amphitheatre, wearing a robe ungirdled, and beneath it between the two stripes over the breast a robe of purple; having also shoes curiously wrought in gold and silver; bearing a rod like a master of gladiators, and a green branch whereon were golden apples. And he besought silence and said: The Egyptian, if shall conquer this woman, shall slay her with the sword; and if she shall conquer him, she shall receive this branch. And he went away. And we came nigh to each other, and began to buffet one another. He tried to trip up my feet, but I with my heels smote upon his face. And I rose up into the air and began so to smite him as though I trod not the earth. But when I saw that there was yet delay, I joined my hands, setting finger against finger of them. And I caught his head, and he fell upon his face; and I trod upon his head. And the people began to shout, and my helpers began to sing. And I went up to the master of gladiators and received the branch. And he kissed me and said to me: Daughter, peace be with you. And I began to go with glory to the gate called the Gate of Life. 

And I awoke; and I understood that I should fight, not with beasts but against the devil; but I knew that mine was the victory. 

Thus far I have written this, till the day before the games; but the deed of the games tehmsleves let him write who will.”

Saint Felicity is distraught, because her pregnancy meant that she would not be executed together with her companions, but rather be martyred alone after them. So Perpetua, Felicity and the other Christians with them prayed to God for a solution, and receive a miracle when the baby is born prematurely, but healthy. The unnamed editor of the “Passion” recounts this episode:
 
 As for Felicity, she too received this grace of the Lord. For because she was now gone eight months (being indeed with child when she was taken) she was very sorrowful as the day of the games drew near, fearing lest for this cause she should be kept back (for it is not lawful for women that are with child to be brought forth for torment) and lest she should shed her holy and innocent blood after the rest, among strangers and malefactors. Also her fellow martyrs were much afflicted lest they should leave behind them so good a friend and as it were their fellow-traveller on the road of the same hope. Wherefore with joint and united groaning they poured out their prayer to the Lord, three days before the games. Incontinently after their prayer her pains came upon her. And when by reason of the natural difficulty of the eighth month she was oppressed with her travail and made complaint, there said to her one of the servants of the keepers of the door: You that thus make complaint now, what wilt you do when you are thrown to the beasts, which you didst contemn when you would not sacrifice? And she answered, I myself now suffer that which I suffer, but there another shall be in me who shall suffer for me, because I am to suffer for him. So she was delivered of a daughter, whom a sister reared up to be her own daughter. 

The Christians were taken out to the arena, to be mauled by several wild beasts for the entertainment of the crowds. The Romans insisted in dressing Perpetua and Felicity in the uniforms of pagan priestesses, but the martyrs refused- and so instead would enter the arena naked.
 
 “Now dawned the day of their victory, and they went forth from the prison into the amphitheatre as it were into heaven, cheerful and bright of countenance; if they trembled at all, it was for joy, not for fear. Perpetua followed behind, glorious of presence, as a true spouse of Christ and darling of God; at whose piercing look all cast down their eyes. Felicity likewise, rejoicing that she had borne a child in safety, that she might fight with the beasts, came now from blood to blood, from the midwife to the gladiator, to wash after her travail in a second baptism. And when they had been brought to the gate and were being compelled to put on, the men the dress of the priests of Saturn, the women the dress of the priestesses of Ceres, the noble Perpetua remained of like firmness to the end, and would not. For she said: For this cause came we willingly unto this, that our liberty might not be obscured. For this cause have we devoted our lives, that we might do no such thing as this; this we agreed with you. Injustice acknowledged justice; the tribune suffered that they should be brought forth as they were, without more ado. Perpetua began to sing, as already treading on the Egyptian's head. “
 
 The men faced a boar, a bear, and a leopard, and the women had to fight what the text calls a “wild cow”. Here is the account of that maulingas narrated by the unnamed editor of the passion:
 
But for the women the devil had made ready a most savage cow, prepared for this purpose against all custom; for even in this beast he would mock their sex. They were stripped therefore and made to put on nets; and so they were brought forth. The people shuddered, seeing one a tender girl, the other her breasts yet dropping from her late childbearing. So they were called back and clothed in loose robes. Perpetua was first thrown, and fell upon her loins. And when she had sat upright, her robe being rent at the side, she drew it over to cover her thigh, mindful rather of modesty than of pain. Next, looking for a pin, she likewise pinned up her dishevelled hair; for it was not meet that a martyr should suffer with hair dishevelled, lest she should seem to grieve in her glory. So she stood up; and when she saw Felicity smitten down, she went up and gave her her hand and raised her up.. And both of them stood up together and the (hardness of the people being now subdued) were called back to the Gate of Life. There Perpetua being received by one named Rusticus, then a catechumen, who stood close at her side, and as now awakening from sleep (so much was she in the Spirit and in ecstasy) began first to look about her; and then (which amazed all there), When, forsooth, she asked, are we to be thrown to the cow? And when she heard that this had been done already, she would not believe till she perceived some marks of mauling on her body and on her dress. 
 
Finally, a swordsman was sent to finish off the injured Christians. 
 “
But Perpetua, that she might have some taste of pain, was pierced between the bones and shrieked out; and when the swordsman's hand wandered still (for he was a novice), herself set it upon her own neck. Perchance so great a woman could not else have been slain (being feared of the unclean spirit) had she not herself so willed it. 
 
Later, a church was built on the site of the martyr’s burial, the Basilica Maiorum in Carthage. And inscription was found on the site, reading Here are the martyrs

Saturus, Saturinus,

Revocatus, Secundulus,

Felicitas, Perpetua, who suffered on the Nones (7th) of March

 So March 7 is the feast day of the saints, as celebrated in the western churches. The Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate them on the 1st of February. The text that we have read this episode the Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity became very popular for many centuries. So much so that Saint Augustine of Hippo thought it necessary to tell his congregation not to treat it with equal weight as the Bible.
 
 Saint Perpetua and Felicity also have received a lot of attention and recognition outside of Christianity. For a more secular perspective on the saints, the podcast “What’s her name” has an excellent episode about Perpetua and Felicity that I listened to as part of my research for this episode. The what’s her name podcast is about telling the stories of overlooked women in history whose stories deserve to be better known, and Saint Perpetua andSaint Felicity definitely fall under that category.
 
Thanks for listening to this episode of the Christian saints podcast. Look for the Christian Saints podcast page on Facebook or Instagram, or look for us on Twitter at podcast_saints. All music in this episode was composed by my good friend, James John Marks of Generative sounds. Please check out his music at https://generativesoundsjjm.bandcamp.com/
 
The great theologian St Augustine of Hippo admired Saints Perpetua and Felicity greatly – which is understandable, since he lived not too far away from Carthage, and only a couple of centuries later. He gave at least three sermons about Perpetua and Felicity, and to end this episode let us listen to the opening passage from one of those sermons: 

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. This day, coming round year after year, is a reminder to us, and after a certain fashion represents for us the day on which God’s holy servants, Perpetua and Felicity, adorned with the garlands of martyrdom, burst into bloom in perpetual felicity, holding onto the name of Christ in the war, and at the same time also finding their own names in the reward. We heard of the encouragement they received in divine revelations, and of their triumph in their sufferings, as it was all being read; and all those things, recounted in such glowing words, we perceived with our ears, and actually saw with our minds; we honored them with our devotion, and praised them with love.

However, a solemn annual sermon is also owed by me at a celebration of such universal devotion. If what I can offer is quite unequal to the merits of these saints, I can still contribute my own enthusiastic feelings to the joy of this great feast. What, after all, could be more glorious than these women, whom men can more easily admire than imitate?