Martyrdom of Justin, Chariton and Companions (Acts of Justin, recension B)

Martyrdom of the holy martyrs Justin, Chariton, Charito, Euelpistus, Hierax, Paeon, and Liberian, who bore witness in Rome.

In the time of the lawless champions of idolatry, impious decrees were posted in city and countryside against the godly Christians, to compel them to pour libations to the vain idols. So the holy men were arrested and brought before the prefect of Rome, named Rusticus.

When they had been brought before the tribunal, Rusticus the prefect said to Justin, “First of all, obey the gods and submit to the emperors.” Justin said, “To obey the commands of our Savior Jesus Christ is not blameworthy or deserving of condemnation.” Rusticus the prefect said, “What doctrines do you profess?” Justin said, “I have tried to learn all doctrines, but I have given my assent to the true doctrines of the Christians, even if they do not please those who hold false opinions.” Rusticus the prefect said, “So those doctrines please you, you utter wretch?” Justin said, “Yes, since I follow them with right belief.” Rusticus the prefect said, “What belief is that?” Justin said, “That which we hold with reverence concerning the God of the Christians, whom we consider to be one, from the beginning the maker and fashioner of the whole creation, visible and invisible; and concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, the Servant of God, who was also proclaimed beforehand by the prophets as one who would come to the human race as a herald of salvation and teacher of good lessons. And I, being a man, think that what I say is little compared with his infinite divinity; I acknowledge a certain prophetic power, since it was proclaimed beforehand concerning this one, whom I have just said to be the Son of God. For I know that from of old the prophets foretold his coming among men.”

Rusticus the prefect said, “Where do you assemble?” Justin said, “Wherever each one chooses and is able. Do you really suppose that we all meet in the same place? It is not so; for the God of the Christians is not confined by place, but, being invisible, he fills heaven and earth and is worshipped and glorified everywhere by the faithful.” Rusticus the prefect said, “Tell me, where do you meet, or in what place do you gather your disciples?” Justin said, “I live above a certain Martinus, at the bath of Timothinus, and for this whole time (this is my second stay in the city of Rome) I have known no other meeting place but his. And if anyone wished to come to me, I shared with him the words of truth.” Rusticus said, “So then, you are a Christian?” Justin said, “Yes, I am a Christian.”

Rusticus the prefect said to Chariton, “Tell me further, Chariton, are you too a Christian?” Chariton said, “I am a Christian by God's command.” Rusticus the prefect said to Charito, “What do you say, Charito?” Charito said, “I am a Christian by the gift of God.” Rusticus said to Euelpistus, “And who are you?” Euelpistus, a slave of Caesar, answered, “I too am a Christian, set free by Christ, and by the grace of Christ I share in the same hope.” Rusticus the prefect said to Hierax, “Are you a Christian too?” Hierax said, “Yes, I am a Christian; for I revere and worship the same God.” Rusticus the prefect said, “Did Justin make you Christians?” Hierax said, “I was a Christian, and I will be one.” Paeon, standing by, said, “I too am a Christian.” Rusticus the prefect said, “Who taught you?” Paeon said, “We received this good confession from our parents.” Euelpistus said, “I listened gladly to Justin's words, but I too received it from my parents to be a Christian.” Rusticus the prefect said, “Where are your parents?” Euelpistus said, “In Cappadocia.” Rusticus said to Hierax, “Where are your parents?” He answered, “Our true father is Christ, and our mother is faith in him. My earthly parents have died, and I have come here, having been dragged away from Iconium in Phrygia.” Rusticus the prefect said to Liberian, “And what do you say? Are you a Christian, and not devout either?” Liberian said, “I too am a Christian; for I am devout and worship the only true God.”

The prefect said to Justin, “Listen, you who are called learned and think you know true doctrines: if you are scourged and beheaded, are you persuaded that you will go up into heaven?” Justin said, “I hope to have his gifts if I endure these things. For I know that the divine gift remains for all who have lived so, until the consummation of the whole world.” Rusticus the prefect said, “Do you suppose, then, that you will go up into heaven to receive some rewards?” Justin said, “I do not suppose it; I know it and am fully assured of it.” Rusticus the prefect said, “Now let us come to the matter before us, which presses. Come together, then, and sacrifice with one accord to the gods.” Justin said, “No one in his right mind falls away from godliness to ungodliness.” Rusticus the prefect said, “If you do not obey, you will be punished without mercy.” Justin said, “It is our prayer to be saved through being punished for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, because this will be salvation and confidence for us at the more fearful tribunal of our Master and Savior, before which the whole world must stand.” In the same way the other martyrs also said, “Do what you wish; for we are Christians and do not sacrifice to idols.” Rusticus the prefect pronounced sentence, saying, “Let those who have refused to sacrifice to the gods and to yield to the emperor's command be scourged and led away, paying the penalty of death in accordance with the laws.”

The holy martyrs, glorifying God, went out to the customary place, were beheaded, and completed their witness in the confession of the Savior. And some of the faithful secretly took their bodies and laid them in a suitable place, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ working with them; to whom be the glory to the ages of ages. Amen.