Sister Freaks

I recently read a chapter in a book called Sister Freaks by Rebecca St. James. This book contains stories about women who gave up everything for their religion and what they believe. This chapter was called "Perpetua and Felicitas- Giving their all". It takes place in 200 A.D. in North Africa. it was during a time when Christians and Jews were being persecuted by the government unless they would convert to what the emperor's religion was. Severus's (the emperor) religion was called syncretism. It was the worship of Sol Invictus who was considered the unconquered sun. A well off young woman name Perpetua was arrested along with her slave, Felicitas by the Roman officials and threw them in a cell. They were to have a trial soon and be asked if they were Christian, and if they said yes, they would be devoured to death by beasts. Perpetua's family would come to visit her and try to persuade her to just say that she wasn't a Christian and to think of her baby at home. She and her father argued and cried for a while and their conversation went like this:

" Father, do you see this vase here?"

"Yes I Do."

"Could it be called by any other name than what it is?"

"No"

"I cannot be called anything other than what I am- a Christian"

Perpetua and her Felicitas went to trial and were sentenced to death on March 7, 203. Even though it is hard to believe, when they left to be devoured, they were filled with joy and peace because they knew they had done the right thing by testifying their love for God. As the women were about to be killed, they requested that they could sing. The officials complied and so they sang hymns to the Lord- as they were dying. The mad animal tore them apart and they died, but soon after their death Christian Persecution stopped for some time. I really like this story because they stood up for what they believed in and that was more important to them than any of the material things that they had on this earth. They knew what they were living for and what they wanted in life. I think that it's a good reminder even for the little things us highschoolers go through. Sometimes it's really hard to stick to your beliefs and morals when everyone around you is judging or disagreeing but its worth it.