On Wednesday, June 1, the Church calendar bids us remember Justin of Neapolis. He was born around 100 A.D. and trained as a philosopher. He came to believe that only partial knowledge could be found in the works of Plato and Aristotle; full knowledge was found only in Christ. After his conversion to Christianity, he taught philosophy in Rome. He was denounced to the authorities and executed for his faith around 165. For this reason, he is usually called Justin Martyr. Here is what he said to his skeptical fellow Romans: “It is in our power when we are examined to deny our faith, but we would not live by telling a lie. For, impelled by the desire for the eternal and pure life, we seek to dwell with God, the Father and Creator of all things, and hasten to confess our faith, being persuaded and convinced that those who have shown to God by their works that they follow Him, and long to dwell with Him where there is no evil to cause disturbance, are able to obtain these things. This, then, to speak briefly, is what we look for and have learned from Christ, and teach.”
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(From: Encyclopedia Britannica. Ref. Justin’s Apology, section VIII)
Saint Justin Martyr statue at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (southeast section) in Washington, D.C.