Heresies
This heresy denied the eternal Sonship of Jesus, saying He was a normal man who earned divinity later.
Samosatene Heresy?
Ruling from 270 to 275 AD, this emperor began persecuting Christians near the end of his reign, especially targeting bishops, though his death prevented a widespread campaign.
Aurelian?
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”
John 1:1?
A Jewish-Christian sect that claimed secret books and that sins could be washed away by rituals, not repentance in Christ.
Elcesaites?
This Roman soldier and Christian martyr was first shot full of arrows and left for dead, but after miraculously surviving, he boldly confronted the emperor and was beaten to death.
St. Sebastian?
This warrior-saint, known as “Abu Sefein” for carrying two swords, was strengthened by a vision of the Archangel Michael, defeated the enemies of the faith, and was later tortured and beheaded for refusing to worship idols under Emperor Decius.
St. Philopater (Philopater Mercurius)?
This short-reigned Roman emperor targeted Christian bishops and clergy, aiming to destroy Church leadership, and ruled from 235 to 238 AD.
Maximinus Thrax?
“For by grace you have been saved through faith”
Ephesians 2:8?
This movement insisted that sacraments were invalid if given by clergy who had sinned or weakened during persecution.
Donatism?
Called the Father of Monasticism, he lived in the Egyptian desert battling demons and inspiring monks worldwide.
St. Anthony the Great?
This great martyr is said to have been miraculously raised from the dead three times during his tortures under Diocletian before finally giving his life to Christ when he was beheaded.
St. George the Wonderworker?
This emperor, ruling from 54–68 CE, blamed Christians for the Great Fire of Rome in 64 CE, leading to one of the first major persecutions of the early Church.
Nero?
“It is not who calls us, but God who works through them”
2 Corinthians 2:14–16?
This group refused to allow Christians who denied the faith during persecution to return to the Church, even after repentance.
Novatianism?
This bishop taught that unity with the Church is essential for salvation and was martyred in North Africa under Valerian.
St. Cyprian of Carthage?
This early 3rd-century virgin-martyr, celebrated as the patron saint of sacred music, was sentenced to death after converting her husband and many others to Christianity and miraculously survived suffocation before finally being martyred by the sword.
St. Cecilia of Rome?
This Roman emperor issued the first empire-wide edict requiring all citizens to offer sacrifice to Roman gods and obtain a certificate, leading to the imprisonment, torture, and death of many Christians.
Emperor Decius?
“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance”
Matthew 9:13?
This heresy said that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were not three Persons, but only one Person who appeared in different “modes.”
Sabellianism / Modalism?
This saint was roasted alive on a gridiron during the Valerian Persecution and is famously said to have joked, “Turn me over, I’m done on this side.”
St. Lawrence of Rome?
This young Roman virgin-martyr who Roman authorities sought to force her into marriage with a powerful pagan nobleman.
St. Agnes of Rome?
This Roman ruler targeted Christian leaders, including bishops, priests, and deacons, executing many such as St. Lawrence of Rome during his reign in the mid-3rd century.
Emperor Valerian?
“Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”
Matthew 28:19?