ST. JUSTIN (PATRON OF PHILOSOPHERS)
▪︎ Encourage the search for and love of truth
Every June 1st, the Church celebrates Saint Justin Martyr, philosopher, theologian, and martyr, whom Pope Benedict XVI called "the most important of the Apologist Fathers of the second century."
Saint Justin Martyr, initially a pagan, dedicated his life to knowledge and the search for truth. It was precisely in this endeavor that he discovered faith and the need to give an account of it. He became an outstanding philosopher whose talent was placed at the service of Christian doctrine.
Once converted to the cause of Christ, Justin dedicated himself to defending the truths revealed by God, using the conceptual tools that reason provides. Persuaded by the Truth that comes from above, he committed himself to Christ to such an extent that he did not hesitate to give his life in martyrdom.
Seeker of Truth, Servant of Truth
Saint Justin was born around the year 100 in the ancient region of Shechem, in Samaria. His parents were pagans of Greek origin and provided him with a privileged education in Philosophy and Literature, which allowed him, in due course, to approach Christianity with depth and reverence.
One day, while meditating on God, a wise old man approached him and recommended that he study the Christian religion through Scripture, “because it is the only one that speaks of God properly and in a way that fully satisfies the soul,” he told him.
At that time, Justin was about 30 years old. Touched by the words of that wise man, from then on he dedicated himself to reading the Holy Scriptures, in which he found not only “a collection of marvelous teachings,” but the Truth he had sought with all his heart, something that no other knowledge could surpass.
Later, Saint Justin founded a school in Rome, where he taught free of charge to those who wanted to learn about the new religion that was spreading throughout the empire. Justin considered revealed knowledge to be a true philosophy and a source for learning the art of living righteously.
Having taught this luminous doctrine led to his denunciation and condemnation to death. Like so many other martyrs, he was given the opportunity to worship foreign gods in exchange for sparing his life. Saint Justin did not accept such an undignified offer and was executed. He died by beheading around the year 165 during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, persecutor of the Church.
Defender of the Christian faith and practice
The term “apologist” or “apologetics” is equivalent to “defender”; And it was precisely this role that Saint Justin assumed against those who rejected Christianity.
The saint wrote several texts, most of which have been lost, but some have survived to this day. Among these are the famous "Apologies" (a two-part defense of Christianity), written for Emperor Titus Aurelius (Antoninus Pius), the members of the Senate, and the leading Roman authorities.
In them, Justin intended to explain why Christians should not be persecuted and why their customs should be respected.
Both the first and second apologies also offer details about the life and customs of Christians before the year 200, making them an invaluable source that has allowed us to understand and appreciate many of the characteristics of the early Church. The Apologies enjoyed widespread circulation and were widely known from Asia Minor to Rome.
In addition to the Apologies, the so-called "Dialogue with Trypho" has also been preserved. This text, likewise apologetic in nature, focuses on the similarities and differences between Christianity and Judaism. Its purpose is to affirm that Jesus Christ represents the fullness of the Law and that, therefore, he should be recognized by the Jewish people as the awaited Messiah.
To achieve this objective, Saint Justin constantly relies on Scripture, employing the literary device of dialogue (argumentative fiction), in which he argues with a rabbi named Trypho.
Pope Benedict XVI remarked regarding the saint's works: "They illustrate above all the divine plan of creation and salvation that is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Logos, the Word of God, in which every human being participates as a rational creature. His first Apology is an implacable critique of pagan religion and the myths of that time" (Benedict XVI, 2007).
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)
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