06/01/2026
On June 1st, the church celebrates Justin Martyr, who was born into a pagan family in the second century. He converted to the Christian faith while he was a philosophy student. He became a teacher in Ephesus and Rome. He was martyred for refusing to make pagan sacrifices. After being arrested and tried, he was executed with six other Christians. His confession of faith is recorded in the official Roman court documents. “The account of his martyrdom became a source of great encouragement to the early Christian community.” (p. 397) Most of our knowledge of early liturgical practice comes from Justin.
Let us pray: “Almighty and everlasting God, You found Your martyr Justin wandering from teacher to teacher, searching for the true God. Grant that all who seek for a deeper knowledge of the sublime wisdom of Your eternal Word may be found by You, who sent Your Son to seek and to save the lost; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” Amen.
Prayer quoted from and description adapted from “Treasury of Daily Prayer,” p. 396-7.
Image: “Saint Justin” by André Thevet. 1584, Public Domain.
