Saint Martin

Elected pope in 649, St. Martin I faced significant challenges for refusing to remain silent about heresy. During his papacy, Monothelism gained popularity, a belief asserting that Christ possessed only a divine will and no human will. Although the emperor's edict did not directly endorse this heresy, it forbade any discussion regarding Jesus' will.

St. Martin convened a council that condemned Monothelism, reaffirming that Christ had two natures—human and divine—which meant He must also have two wills. The council further denounced the emperor's edict, stating, "The Lord commanded us to shun evil and do good, but not to reject the good with the evil." Incensed by this defiance, the emperor sent soldiers to Rome to capture St. Martin.

St. Martin I, unable to defend himself due to illness, lay on a couch before the altar when soldiers stormed the Lateran basilica. He had rushed to the Church upon hearing their arrival, yet the thought of seizing a frail pope from the house of God did not deter them; they forcefully took him and hustled him to their ship.

Upon arriving in Constantinople, St. Martin was imprisoned in a cold, filthy cell, where he endured dysentery and was denied basic hygiene and decent food. Treated unjustly, he was condemned for treason without a chance to defend himself, subsequently enduring further imprisonment for three additional months.

Exiled to Crimea, St. Martin suffered from the region's famine and harsh conditions, but the greatest suffering came from isolation. His letters revealed the painful reality that the Church had abandoned him, with friends failing to send even basic provisions like oil or corn. He died in exile in 656, a martyr for defending the Church's right to establish doctrine against imperial authority.

St. Martin, pray for us that we may have the courage to uphold our faith in the face of adversity.

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Pelayan Atasan Tertinggi / Most High Servant,
Yesus, Maria, Yusuf Pelayanan Kasih / Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love 
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)

My vocation is Blessed and Saints.

"I am the most humble of all the Saints in Heaven" Mary, Mother of God."

"I am the handmaid of the Lord, said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me."

Mother Mary is the most humble Saint in Heaven and she is also the Mother of God for us all
(Luke 1:38)