After a period of persecution by Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the ruler of Rome was succeeded by his son Commodus and his wife Marcia, in 180. It is said that the empress admired the believers of Christ. Therefore, Commodus, filled with strong affection for his wife, showed them more merciful treatment than his father did. This period of calm for the Christians, allowed for the faith to spread, resulting in numerous conversions into Christianity. Amongst the new believers was Senator Apollonius, later known as the Apologist. Apollonius was well-regarded in the empire, of high rank and particularly knowledgeable in philosophy. Even though the Roman senator possessed many virtues, and Commodus’ softer approach towards the Christians, many of Marcus Aurelius’ laws remained. As a direct consequence of this fact, one day, a malevolent slave of Apollonius’ stepped forth and accused the senator of Christianity. As such, Apollonius was brought to trial and was faced with the same choice as many before him – to renounce the faith or die. During his trial, the Roman refused to deny Christ, arguing the case for Christianity. “I enjoy life; but love of life does not make me afraid to die”; Apollonius continued to explain how Christianity is superior by its concepts of death and life; he argued that death is a natural necessity, which has nothing frightening about it, while the true life is the life of the soul. He explained that paganism is futile because idols are human artefacts without life, autonomy, reason, or virtue. Above all, he reasoned, Christianity surpasses paganism through the salvific work of Jesus Christ, the revealing Word of God and teacher of moral life, who became man to destroy sin by his death. Apollonius continued that Christ’s death was prophesied both by Scripture and by Plato. Even though his arguments proved themselves stoic, beautiful, and logical, Marcus Aurelus’ laws were unshakable. Saint Apollonius was beheaded in the year 186 for his Christian beliefs.

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