MARTYRDOM AND SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE

The article discusses the role of martyrdom in the spread of Christianity during its first three centuries. Traditionally it is considered that it had a great effect on the pagan audience demonstrating the courage of Christians and their loyalty to faith. We believe that this was not the case: the martyrdom could not have played any significant role in the conversion of the Gentiles. It was a completely inter-Christian phenomenon, obscure and repulsive to the outside observers. Martyrs, focusing on their feat, did not address the audience, Gentiles were perceived not as an object of preaching, but as a tool to achieve the Kingdom of Heaven. No miracles did happen that would glorify the power of God of Christians During their execution. Cases of conversion of the Gentiles after the martyrdom were the result of a more or less long-term association with convicted before the execution, or a reaction of already converted Christians to the event. However, martyrdom effected on members of the Christian community that weren't baptized - catechumens. It strengthened converts, gave them a pattern of behavior worthy of a true Christian and pushed to following this model. Refs 25.