When the proconsul was present in Pergamum [Asia Minor], Carpus and
Papylus, joyful martyrs of Christ, were brought to him. The proconsul sat
down and asked, “What is your name?”
The one who was questioned answered, “My first and chosen name is
Christian. But if you are asking for my name in the world, then I call
myself Carpus.”
The proconsul declared, “The decrees of the emperors are known to you,
that you must wor****p the all-controlling gods. Therefore I advise both
of you to come forward and sacrifice.”
Carpus replied, “I am a Christian. I honor Christ, the son of God, who
has come in the latter times to save us and has delivered us from the
madness of the Devil. I will not sacrifice to such idols. Do what you
please. It is impossible for me to offer sacrifices to these delusive
phantoms, these demons, for they who sacrifice to them become like them.”
The proconsul flared up, “Both of you, sacrifice to the gods and listen
to reason!”
Carpus said joyfully, “Away with the gods who have created neither heaven
nor earth.”
The proconsul said, “You must sacrifice; the Caesar has commanded it.”
Carpus answered, “The living do not sacrifice to the dead.”
The proconsul asked, “Do you believe that the gods are dead?”
Carpus replied, “If you would like to know, they were never even men, nor
did they ever live that they could die. Believe me, you are caught up in
a grave delusion.”
The proconsul replied, “I have let you talk too much nonsense and thus
have misled you to blaspheme the gods and the majesty. You shall not
continue in this way. You will sacrifice or else – ! What do you say?”
Carpus said, “I cannot sacrifice. I have never yet sacrificed to idols.”
At once the proconsul ordered him to be hung up and had his skin flayed
with tools of torture, but he cried out again and again, “I am a
Christian! I am a Christian! I am a Christian!” Af-ter this torture had
gone on for a long time he lost his strength and could not speak any
more.
The proconsul therefore turned his attention from Carpus to Papylus and
asked him, “Are you a councilor?”
He answered, “I am a citizen.”
The proconsul asked, “Of what city?”
Papylus answered, “Thyatira.”
The proconsul asked, “Do you have any children?”
Papylus replied, “Oh yes, many of them, through God.”
One of the surrounding crowd shouted, “He means he has children by his
Christian faith.”
The proconsul shouted at him, “Why do you lie, saying that you have
children?”
Papylus answered, “Will you understand that I am not lying but saying the
truth? In every district and city I have children in God.”
The proconsul said, “You will sacrifice or else – ! What do you say?”
Papylus answered, “I have served God since my youth. I have never
sacrificed to idols. I am a Christian. You cannot learn anything else
from me. There is nothing I can say which is greater or more wonderful
than this.” Then he also was hung up and his body was flayed with three
pairs of iron instruments of torture. He did not utter a sound, but as a
courageous fighter he endured the rage of the tempter.
When the proconsul saw their outstanding steadfastness, he ordered them
to be burned alive. They descended into the amphitheater with brisk
steps, that they might be freed from this world as quickly as possible.
Papylus was the first to be nailed to the stake. When the flames leaped
up he prayed quietly and gave up his soul. Carpus was nailed on after
him. He was full of joy…When he had spoken and the fire was burning, he
prayed, “Praise be to thee O Lord, Jesus Christ, son of God, that thou
didst deem me, a sinner, also worthy of this part in thee!” After these
words he gave up his soul.
Agathonica was present when these things happened. She saw the glory of
the Lord which Carpus had seen and described. In this she recognized a
call from heaven and raised her voice straight away. “This meal has been
prepared for me. I must partake in it. I must receive the meal of glory.”
The people cried out, “Have pity on your son.”
Agathonica joyfully answered, “He has God who can care for him, for he is
the provider for all. But I, why do I stand here?” She threw off her
clothes and jubilantly allowed herself to be nailed to the stake.
Those standing by burst into tears and cried, “A cruel sentence! What
unjust orders!”
But she, standing erect and caught by the fire, cried out three times,
“Lord, Lord, Lord, help me, for I flee unto thee.” Then she gave up her
soul and was perfected with the saints.
Ca. A.D. 165. Acts in Eusebius IV. 15–48.
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