Marinus of Caesarea
Encyclopedia
Marinus of Caesarea was a Roman soldier, who, for being a Christian
, suffered martyrdom.
, Marinus was promoted to the position of centurion
. Before he was able to assume the post, a rival claimed that before a centurion
could accept the post, he was to offer a sacrifice
to the emperor
, according to ancient law. Marinus, who until that point was a secret Christian
, professed his true faith, and explained that it prevented him from offering this sacrifice
. Marinus was then given three hours to change his decision. He went to a local church to speak with the bishop
, who went by the name of Theotecnus. After meditating on the Gospels, Marinus returned to the legion
and refused to make the sacrifice
. He was then executed.
, who suffered martyrdom for this act.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
, suffered martyrdom.
Life
A soldier in a Roman legionRoman legion
A Roman legion normally indicates the basic ancient Roman army unit recruited specifically from Roman citizens. The organization of legions varied greatly over time but they were typically composed of perhaps 5,000 soldiers, divided into maniples and later into "cohorts"...
, Marinus was promoted to the position of centurion
Centurion
A centurion was a professional officer of the Roman army .Centurion may also refer to:-Military:* Centurion tank, British battle tank* HMS Centurion, name of several ships and a shore base of the British Royal Navy...
. Before he was able to assume the post, a rival claimed that before a centurion
Centurion
A centurion was a professional officer of the Roman army .Centurion may also refer to:-Military:* Centurion tank, British battle tank* HMS Centurion, name of several ships and a shore base of the British Royal Navy...
could accept the post, he was to offer a sacrifice
Animal sacrifice
Animal sacrifice is the ritual killing of an animal as part of a religion. It is practised by many religions as a means of appeasing a god or gods or changing the course of nature...
to the emperor
Roman Emperor
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...
, according to ancient law. Marinus, who until that point was a secret Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
, professed his true faith, and explained that it prevented him from offering this sacrifice
Animal sacrifice
Animal sacrifice is the ritual killing of an animal as part of a religion. It is practised by many religions as a means of appeasing a god or gods or changing the course of nature...
. Marinus was then given three hours to change his decision. He went to a local church to speak with the bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
, who went by the name of Theotecnus. After meditating on the Gospels, Marinus returned to the legion
Roman legion
A Roman legion normally indicates the basic ancient Roman army unit recruited specifically from Roman citizens. The organization of legions varied greatly over time but they were typically composed of perhaps 5,000 soldiers, divided into maniples and later into "cohorts"...
and refused to make the sacrifice
Animal sacrifice
Animal sacrifice is the ritual killing of an animal as part of a religion. It is practised by many religions as a means of appeasing a god or gods or changing the course of nature...
. He was then executed.
After his death
The remains of Marinus were buried by a Roman senator, Asterius of CaesareaAsterius of Caesarea
Asterius of Caesarea was a Roman senator, who became a Christian martyr. After Asterius gave a Christian burial to a Roman soldier Marinus of Caesarea, who suffered martyrdom, he too was condemned to martyrdom, and was beheaded.-References:...
, who suffered martyrdom for this act.