Difference between revisions of "Protomartyr"
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However, the word '''protomartyr''' is also used with a qualification to refer to the first [[Christian]] martyr(s) within a particular country or from a particular group (e.g., denomination or religious order). For example, | However, the word '''protomartyr''' is also used with a qualification to refer to the first [[Christian]] martyr(s) within a particular country or from a particular group (e.g., denomination or religious order). For example, | ||
| − | :the English (or British) '''protomartyr''' is [[Saint Alban|St. Alban]], who was beheaded in the Roman city of ''Verulamium'' (now St. | + | :the English (or British) '''protomartyr''' is [[Saint Alban|St. Alban]], who was beheaded in the Roman city of ''[[Verulamium]]'' (now [[St. Albans]]) sometime in the third century CE. |
| − | :John Rogers, who was burnt at the stake at Smithfield in London in 1555, is sometimes described as the (Protestant) '''protomartyr''' of the Marian persecutions, i.e., the first [[Protestant]] martyr to suffer for his beliefs during the persecutions which took place in the reign of Queen Mary I (reigned 1553-1558). | + | :John Rogers, who was burnt at the stake at Smithfield in London in 1555, is sometimes described as the (Protestant) '''protomartyr''' of the Marian persecutions, i.e., the first [[Protestant]] martyr to suffer for his beliefs during the persecutions which took place in the reign of [[Queen Mary#Mary I (of England)|Mary I]] (reigned 1553-1558). |
:Berardo da Calvi, Accursio and Adiuto da Narni, Ottone da Stroncone and Pietro da San Gemini are known as the Franciscan '''protomartyrs'''. They were members of the [[Franciscan Order]] who worked as missionaries in Morocco and were beheaded there in 1220.after repeatedly refusing to comply with the order of the Muslim king that they abandon their promotion of [[Christianity]]. | :Berardo da Calvi, Accursio and Adiuto da Narni, Ottone da Stroncone and Pietro da San Gemini are known as the Franciscan '''protomartyrs'''. They were members of the [[Franciscan Order]] who worked as missionaries in Morocco and were beheaded there in 1220.after repeatedly refusing to comply with the order of the Muslim king that they abandon their promotion of [[Christianity]]. | ||
| − | ''' | + | '''Protomartyr''' is also used of non-[[Christian]]s who suffer death for their religious beliefs. For example, |
:Al-Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of [[Muhammad]] and the third [[Imam]], who was beheaded in the battle at Karbala in 680 CE, is considered to be the Shiite '''protomartyr'''. | :Al-Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of [[Muhammad]] and the third [[Imam]], who was beheaded in the battle at Karbala in 680 CE, is considered to be the Shiite '''protomartyr'''. | ||
Latest revision as of 16:00, 10 June 2020
The word protomartyr, formed from the Greek πρῶτος (protos, ‘first’) and μάρτυς (martus, ‘witness’, ‘martyr’) means ‘first martyr’.
If used with the definite article and without further qualification (and sometimes with an initial capital), the word refers to the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen, who was stoned to death in Jerusalem in c 35 CE. (The story of Stephen’s life and martyrdom is told in the New Testament (Acts of the Apostles, chs. 6 & 7).)
However, the word protomartyr is also used with a qualification to refer to the first Christian martyr(s) within a particular country or from a particular group (e.g., denomination or religious order). For example,
- the English (or British) protomartyr is St. Alban, who was beheaded in the Roman city of Verulamium (now St. Albans) sometime in the third century CE.
- John Rogers, who was burnt at the stake at Smithfield in London in 1555, is sometimes described as the (Protestant) protomartyr of the Marian persecutions, i.e., the first Protestant martyr to suffer for his beliefs during the persecutions which took place in the reign of Mary I (reigned 1553-1558).
- Berardo da Calvi, Accursio and Adiuto da Narni, Ottone da Stroncone and Pietro da San Gemini are known as the Franciscan protomartyrs. They were members of the Franciscan Order who worked as missionaries in Morocco and were beheaded there in 1220.after repeatedly refusing to comply with the order of the Muslim king that they abandon their promotion of Christianity.
Protomartyr is also used of non-Christians who suffer death for their religious beliefs. For example,
- Al-Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammad and the third Imam, who was beheaded in the battle at Karbala in 680 CE, is considered to be the Shiite protomartyr.
The word is also applied to those who are (among) the first to die or endure great suffering for a non-religious cause, e.g., a social or political ideal. For example,
- the Tolpuddle Martyrs, the six agricultural labourers from Tolpuddle, a village in Dorset, who in 1834 were found guilty of swearing a secret oath as members of an embryonic trade union and sentenced to penal transportation to Australia, are sometimes spoken of as (among) the protomartyrs of the trades union or workers’ rights movements. (Happily, in response to a public outcry, the six men were brought back to Britain between 1837 and 1839.)
Quite differently, Protomartyr is the name of an American rock band formed in 2008 in Detroit, Michigan. The band’s choice of name seems to reflect its members’ view of themselves as pioneers in the particular style of music they favoured – a mixture of post-punk and punk rock - and their willingness to suffer, e.g., endure unpopularity, rather than compromise their artistic integrity.
