EARLY CHURCH FATHER - ST ATHENAGORAS: WHAT CHRISTIANS CANNOT ENDURE . . .

 

SAINT ATHENAGORAS (133 - 190ce)

“We Christians cannot endure to see a man being put to death, even justly." 

Early Church Father

Holy Athenagoras was an Anti-Nicene early Church Father. He was a Greek philosopher and apologist who lived during the second century CE. Saint Athenagoras was Athenian (though possibly not from Athens), and converted to Christianity. This early Church Father wrote influential works about Christianity. 

  

Explanation of Christian beliefs and morals

Athenagoras of Athens was writing in the second century, at a time when Christians were often misunderstood and accused of crimes or disloyalty to the Roman Empire. In his work "A Plea for the Christians," addressed to the emperors Marcus Aurelius Antoninus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus, Athenagoras tried to explain Christian beliefs and morals.

When St Athenagoras wrote that Christians “cannot endure seeing a man put to death, even justly,” he was expressing several deeply connected Christian convictions;

Firstly, regarding the sacredness of human life.

Christians believe every human being is made in the Image of God. This comes from the Law of Moses in the Old Testament:

“Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind” (Genesis 9:6).

Because human life bears God’s image, Christians saw killing as something grave and tragic, even when civil law permitted it.

Secondly, Athenagoras was cognizant of the example of Jesus Christ.

Early Christians were profoundly shaped by the crucifixion of Christ. Jesus was innocent, yet He was condemned and executed by earthly authorities. The memory of this injustice made Christians cautious about human judgment and the taking of life. They knew that courts and rulers could condemn the innocent.

Thirdly, St Athenagoras knew of Christ’s teaching on mercy and love in the gospels.

Lord Jesus taught: 

* “Love your enemies,” (Matt 5:43-48)

* “Blessed are the merciful,”(Matt 5:7)

* “Those who live by the sword will die by the sword,” (Matt 26:52)

Early Christians therefore emphasized forgiveness, repentance, and conversion rather than vengeance.

Fourthly, Athenagoras was aware that Christians espoused separation from culture of violence.

The Roman world accepted gladiatorial games, executions, exposure of infants, and warfare as normal parts of society. Christians stood apart from this culture. Many refused even to attend public executions or blood sports because they believed delight in bloodshed damaged the soul.

Fifthly, St Athenagoras embraced Christian's hope for repentance.

Christians believed that sinners could repent and be saved. Taking a life ended the possibility of earthly repentance. So many early Christian writers preferred mercy whenever possible.

This does not necessarily mean every early Christian rejected all forms of state punishment in the same way later Christians debated them. Rather, Saint Athenagoras of Athens was emphasizing the Christian instinct toward reverence for life and rejection of cruelty and bloodshed.

His words reflect the spirit of the early Church: grief at violence, reverence for life, and remembrance that the Son of God Himself suffered an unjust execution.

Saint Athenagoras' feast day is observed on 24 July in the Eastern Orthodox Church. 

Upon the parchment of the soul

In ages dim of ancient days,
Where conflict rose round Christian ways,
There rose a voice both calm and wise,
With mercy shining from his eyes.

Saint Athenagoras stood strong,
He spoke when others queried long;
With gentle word and patient tone,
He made sweet Truth and Love be known.

The Saint did not answer hate with flame,
Nor seek for glory, gold, or fame;
But carefully, with thoughtful art,
He spoke to mind and human heart.

He taught that life is sacred still,
Not ours to wound by wrathful will;
For every soul by God was made,
And bears His Image full displayed.

He mourned the Cross on Calvary’s height,
Where Christ was slain though pure and bright;
The Son of God this dread trial o'erwon,
To save each daughter and each son.

O blessed saint of Athens fair,
You answered harshness not with snare;
But with the light of reason true,
With words that breathe like early dew.

Through all your writings clear and mild,
We see the Face of God’s dear Child;
The merciful and loving Lord,
Whose Heart shines brighter than the sword.

Prithee, dear saint, that we may learn,
For Christ alone our hearts to burn;
That we take life's pen each day,
To write God’s Truth along our way.

Within the parchment of our soul,
May Christ the King become the whole;
That all we think and say and do,
May bear His gentle Light anew.

When at last our race is trod,
And we ascend to Heaven and our God,
May you behold with joyful eye,
The faith for which you made reply.

May you know us there above,
By mercy, gentleness, and love;
For in our hearts Christ’s Voice shall ring -
The Truth you served while witnessing.

CHURCH FATHERS: A Plea for the Christians

https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0205.htm

With thanks to newadvent.org

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Saint Athenagoras in heavenly light"