New Martyr Yevgeny Rodionov

The Muslim executioner told his mother, “Your son had a choice to stay alive. He could have converted to Islam, but he did not agree to take his cross off.”

With My Own Eyes

A pastor’s firsthand account of prison life: I am a Christian from an Orthodox country — the country of Romania. Having been in prison for fourteen years for my faith, it is now my missionary work to help persecuted Christians in Communist countries. I would like to tell you the stories of several Orthodox Christians with whom I was privileged to come into contact during my time in prison. Their examples and their deeds have been a constant source of encouragement to me throughout the years.

A Letter From the Suffering Church in Gaul — c. 175 AD

Other writers of history record the victories of war and trophies won from enemies, the skill of generals, and the manly bravery of soldiers, defiled with blood and with innumerable slaughters. But our narrative of the government of God will record the most peaceful wars waged in behalf of the peace of the soul,

Cyprian of Carthage: What unites the Church? (250 AD)

Related:
The Martyrdom of Cyprian of Carthage

Since the Lord warns us, saying, “Ye are the salt of the earth,” and since He bids us to be simple to harmlessness, and yet with our simplicity to be prudent, then what else, beloved brethren, befits us than to use foresight and watching with an anxious heart, both to [...]

John’s disciple Ignatius writes to Christians in Asia Minor (107 AD)

The significance of these seven letters lies in their being intimate, familiar, and popular. They do not, in the first instance, reveal a set of ideas though they are not lacking in thoughtfulness. Rather they reveal a man. So much of early Christian literature is impersonal that it is refreshing to stumble upon letters reminiscent [...]