43. Seventy Disciples of Christ
Some Of The Seventy Disciples Of Christ, And Several Followers Of The Apostles, Slain, Towards The Close Of The Persecution By Nero, About A.D. 70
Prochorus, one of the first seven deacons at Jerusalem, a nephew of the pious martyr Stephen, and companion of the apostle John, but afterwards bishop of the church at Bithynia, in Macedonia, suffered and died at Antioch. Nicanor, also one of the first seven deacons at Jerusalem, was likewise executed for the truth’s sake. Likewise Parmenas, also one of the seven deacons. Olympus was imprisoned at Rome with Paul, for the Gospel’s sake. Carpus, a servant of Paul, and afterwards bishop of the church at Troas, was put to death in that place, for the faith. Trophimus, Paul’s companion, was beheaded for the truth of Christ. Maternus and Egystus, two of the seventy disciples of Christ, together with Marianus, the Christian deacon, were put to death in Germany, for the faith. Hermagoras, bishop of the church at Aquileia, ordained thereto by Peter, suffered likewise under Nero. Onesimus, Dionysius, Areopagitae, and others, also died at that time for the divine truth.
This persecution, which was originated by Nero, continued a long time, extending even into the time of Vespasian; so that it is stated that in the third year of his reign, there was put to death in the city of Ravenna, for confessing Christ, Apollinaris, a disciple of Peter, with many others, whose names are not mentioned.
Thieleman J. Van Braght (1625-1664) was an Anabaptist who is best known for writing a history of the Christian witness throughout the centuries entitled “The Bloody Theater or Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians who baptized only upon confession of faith, and who suffered and died for the testimony of Jesus, their Saviour, from the time of Christ to the year A.D. 1660” (1660).
Thieleman J. Van Braght, Martyrs Mirror
