Perpetua

About Perpetua

Perpetua was a young married noblewoman, probably 22 years old, with an infant son when she was arrested in Carthage around 203 AD during the persecution under Emperor Septimius Severus. She was a catechumen (one preparing for baptism) along with her slave Felicity and others including Saturus, Saturninus, and Revocatus.

"The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity" is a remarkable document, partially written in Perpetua's own hand while imprisoned, making it one of the earliest Christian writings by a woman. She describes her arrest, her father's heartbreaking pleas to renounce her faith, her baptism in prison, and four powerful visions she received.

Perpetua's father, a pagan who deeply loved her, repeatedly begged her to consider her family and infant son and offer sacrifice to the Roman gods. In one poignant scene, he threw himself at her feet weeping. Though it broke her heart, Perpetua remained firm: "Nothing can happen to us except what God wills."

While imprisoned, Perpetua had visions of a bronze ladder reaching to heaven, a confrontation with an Egyptian gladiator representing the devil, and finally a vision of her younger brother Dinocrates, who had died young, finding peace. She was baptized in prison and her faith strengthened the other prisoners.

On March 7, 203, Perpetua and Felicity (who had given birth in prison just days before) were taken to the amphitheater with their companions. When a mad heifer was released to attack them, Perpetua helped Felicity to her feet. Eventually, they were killed by gladiators' swords. According to the account, Perpetua had to guide the nervous gladiator's sword to her throat.

Her courage, her intimate account of faith tested to the extreme, and her witness as a mother willingly sacrificing everything for Christ have made her one of the most revered early martyrs.