St. Justin

St. Justin Biography

St. Justin was an early Christian apologist and martyr who lived in the 2nd century AD. He is also known as Justin Martyr. He was born in Palestine and received a pagan education, but converted to Christianity as an adult. He is known for his apologies and defenses of the faith, which were addressed to the Roman Emperor and to the Roman people.

After his conversion, Justin traveled to Rome, where he established a school of Christian philosophy and began teaching and preaching. He wrote two Apologies, or defenses of Christianity, the first addressed to Emperor Antoninus Pius, his sons, and the Roman Senate, and the second to the Roman people. In these apologies, Justin sought to prove the rationality of Christianity and to demonstrate that it was not a threat to the Roman Empire.

Justin’s writings are an important source of information about early Christianity. He wrote about the beliefs, practices, and organization of the Church, as well as about the persecutions that Christians faced. He also provided a detailed account of the liturgy, including the Eucharist, and of the life of the Christian community in Rome. He also wrote treatise known as Dialogue with Trypho which discuss the relationship between Christianity and Judaism, he presented his understanding of the Old Testament and the Jewish religious practices and argued that Jesus Christ was the expected Messiah.

Justin was arrested and tried for his faith during the reign of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. He was martyred, along with several of his students, in the city of Rome. His martyrdom is said to have occurred around the year 165 AD. The exact details of his execution are not known, but he is believed to have been beheaded.

His writings were influential in the development of early Christian theology, particularly in the areas of Christology and the sacraments. He is considered a saint by the Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican churches, and his feast day is celebrated on June 1.

Justin was one of the earliest Christian apologist, his apologetics works aimed to prove the rationality of the Christian faith, to explain the beliefs of the Christians and to defend the faith from the accusations of the pagans. Justin’s most significant achievement in his apologies is his strong emphasis on Christ as the logos, and this emphasis influenced the development of the Nicene Creed, where Christ is identified as the one ‘who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven’

In his works Justin drew extensively from Greek philosophy, particularly from Platonism, and he sought to show that the teachings of Christ were in harmony with the best philosophical thought of his time. He also drew on Stoic and Peripatetic philosophy and other philosophical systems to demonstrate the truth of Christianity.

Justin was also one of the earliest Christian to write extensively on the topic of Christian Martyrdom, and he helped establish the idea of Christian Martyrdom as a moral and religious ideal. He also wrote extensively on the topic of Christian Monotheism, and his apologetic works were also important in the development of the doctrine of the Trinity.

The Life of St. Justin

St. Justin was born near Sichem, now Pablus, in Palestine, about the year 100. His father, a non-believer, brought him up in the superstitions of paganism. Justin spent his youth studying the great poets, orators, historians and scientists of the time. In search of God, he conferred with the philosophers of his day without making any progress.

Coming to God through Reason

One day he met an old man by the seashore who convinced him that Platonic views regarding God would not bring him happiness or salvation; that there were certain holy men who loved God long before the existence of these reputed philosopher. It is only through admiration of the Father and author of all things, and of His Son, Jesus Christ, Whom He had sent into the world that one may be saved.

Then he concluded his discourse with this advice: “As for thyself, above all things, pray that the gates of life may be opened unto thee: for these are not things to be discerned unless God and Christ grant a man the knowledge of them”. He then departed and Justin never saw him again, but his conversation made a deep impression on the young philosopher’s soul, and had enkindled an ardent affection for the true philosophers, the prophets of the faith.

Upon further inquiry into the credibility of the Christian religion, Justin embraced the true faith in the year 130. Zealous for the Faith, he traveled to Greece, Egypt and Italy, and brought many to believe in Christ. In his “Apologies” and his “Dialogue” he gives many personal details about his studies and his conversion.

St. Justin’s Writings

In his second “Apology” Justin says: “I, too, expect to be persecuted and to be crucified by some of those whom I have named, or by Crescens, that friend of noise and of ostentation”. It was at Rome, about the year 167, that St. Justin sealed his testimony with his blood. Surrounded by his disciples, the prefect said to him: “Do you imagine that by dying you will enter Heaven and there be rewarded?” The Saint replied: “I do not only imagine it; I know it”.

When St. Justin and the other Christians with him re used to sacrifice to the gods, the prefect ordered them to be scourged and then beheaded, as the law directed. St. Justin is one of the most ancient Fathers of the Church, who has left us many valuable works. He was a voluminous, learned writer: a witness to the truth, a witness for Christ unto death. This St. Justin pendent serves as a perpetual reminder of the great life of this holy Saint and serves as a request for his intercessions for our intentions.

Popular St. Justin Medal and St. Justin Rosary

Prayers to St. Justin

Prayer to Saint Justin

O God who revealed to Saint Justin in the sufferings of the Cross, the great wisdom of Jesus Christ, grant that through the pleadings of Your Martyr and our Patron we may overcome the many errors that surround us and that our faith may grow ever stronger. In deep humility we pray O Lord for the strength to imitate Saint Justin in his constant efforts to make known the riches of the Faith to his fellowmen. Grant us the grace to be ever mindful of the many blessings we have received from You. Through Christ Our Lord.

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Prayer of Intercession to St. Justin

O God, who through the Cross
wondrously taught Saint Justin the Martyr
the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ,
grant us, through his intercession,
that, having rejected deception and error,
we may become steadfast in the faith.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity
of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Prayer to St. Justin the Martyr

Dear St. Justin, through your wisdom and unwavering faith in Jesus, you have inspired countless believers to follow in your footsteps. Your courage and devotion to sharing the truth of the gospel still resonates today and continues to enlighten those who seek the truth.

I ask for your intercession, St. Justin, that I may grow in wisdom and knowledge of the Lord, and that I may have the courage to share the good news of salvation with others. May I always live my life with integrity, devotion and unwavering faith, as you did.

Thank you for your example and for your prayers for me. Through the grace of God and your intercession, may I become a better person and a faithful witness of the gospel.

Prayer for the Conversion of Non-Believers

St. Justin, your tireless efforts to spread the truth of the gospel and your unwavering faith in the face of persecution have made a lasting impact on the world. I ask for your intercession today as I pray for the conversion of those who do not yet believe.

May they come to know the love of God, and the truth of the gospel, through your powerful intercession. May they be touched by the grace of the Holy Spirit and be led to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

Help me to have the patience and perseverance to continue sharing the good news of salvation, even in the face of opposition or discouragement. Through your example, may I be a faithful witness to the gospel and bring the light of Christ to those around me.

Prayer for Perseverance in the Faith

St. Justin, your commitment to the faith in the face of persecution and death serves as an inspiration to all of us. I ask for your intercession today as I pray for the strength and courage to persevere in my faith.

May I always be mindful of the sacrifice that Jesus made for me, and may I have the courage to follow in His footsteps, even when it is difficult. Help me to remain steadfast in my faith and to never waver in the face of adversity.

Through your powerful intercession, may I grow in wisdom and knowledge of the Lord, and may I always seek to live my life in a way that is pleasing to Him. May I be a faithful witness to the gospel, and bring the light of Christ to those around me.

St. Justin: Patron Saint of Philosophers and Apologists

St. Justin, also known as Justin Martyr, is considered the patron saint of philosophers and apologists. He was a Christian apologist and martyr who lived in the 2nd century and is known for his defense of the faith and his apologies addressed to the Roman emperor and the Senate.

Why is St. Justin the Patron Saint of Philosophers and Apologists?

St. Justin’s life and writings reflect his passion for philosophy and his ability to articulate and defend the Christian faith with reason and wisdom. He was well-versed in the philosophical traditions of his time and sought to demonstrate the compatibility of Christianity with reason.

In his apologies, St. Justin sought to prove the validity of the Christian faith and to counter the charges of atheism and immorality that were often leveled against Christians. He argued that the teachings of Christ and the practices of Christians were reasonable and that they lived lives that were exemplary and virtuous.

St. Justin’s defense of the faith was rooted in his belief that truth and reason could be found in Christianity, and that it was superior to other philosophical systems. He saw philosophy as a way to understand the truth, but he also saw that truth could only be found through the person of Jesus Christ.

As a result of his commitment to reason and truth, St. Justin has been venerated as the patron saint of philosophers and apologists. His writings continue to be studied and are considered to be some of the earliest Christian apologetic works.

St. Justin’s Legacy

St. Justin’s legacy is one of courage and faith. He was willing to stand up for what he believed, even in the face of persecution and death. He is remembered as a model of the power of reason and truth, and as a defender of the Christian faith.

St. Justin’s writings continue to be a source of inspiration for those who seek to understand and defend the Christian faith. They provide a glimpse into the early Christian Church and the struggles of the faith in its first centuries.

St. Justin’s legacy is also one of unity, as he sought to bring together the wisdom of philosophy with the truth of the Christian faith. He saw no conflict between the two, but rather saw them as complementary ways of understanding and experiencing the truth.” “

Reflection on the feast day of St. Justin

The feast day of St. Justin is June 1st.

St. Justin was an early Christian apologist and martyr of the 2nd century. He is considered one of the most important figures in early Christian apologetics, and he is known for his defense of Christianity against the pagan and Gnostic beliefs of the time. He is considered the patron saint of philosophers and his writings are considered important in the development of Christian theology.

On his feast day, we can reflect on the importance of defending our faith. St. Justin was a courageous defender of Christianity in a hostile environment. He knew that it was important to stand up for his beliefs and to articulate them in a logical and compelling way, especially when facing persecution. His example reminds us that we too must be prepared to defend our faith, especially in a world that often challenges and questions it.

St. Justin’s writings also remind us of the importance of understanding our faith. He was a philosopher, and his apologetics were rooted in reason and logic. He understood that Christianity is not only a matter of faith but also of reason, and he strived to articulate the faith in a way that would be understandable and convincing to people of his time. This is an important reminder for us to continue to deepen our understanding of our faith, and to be able to articulate it in a way that is meaningful to others.

St. Justin’s writings also remind us of the importance of defending the truth of Christianity. He was an apologist and he was aware of the false teachings that were circulating among people at that time. He knew that it was important to expose these false teachings and to defend the truth of Christianity. He is an example of how we should be vigilant and willing to defend the truth of Christianity, in the face of any false teaching or any form of deception.

In conclusion, the feast day of St. Justin is an opportunity for us to reflect on the importance of defending our faith, understanding our faith and defending the truth of Christianity. By following the example of St. Justin, we can strive to be courageous defenders of our faith, to deepen our understanding of it and to be vigilant in the face of false teachings.

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Also check out our handmade St. Justin Medal and St. Justin Rosary and St. Justin Rosary Bracelet.