Perpetua: Joyfully Prepared to Meet Christ
n A.D. 203, Carthage was a major Roman outpost in what is now Tunisia. One of its citizens, Perpetua, was a well-educated young noblewoman with an infant son. She was also a Christian, and when she refused to deny Christ by offering a sacrifice to Roman gods, she and several other Christians were sentenced to death.
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For Perpetua, following Christ meant leaving behind her affluent life. She counted the cost of following Christ, knowing that her devotion would separate her from her family. Her father pled with her to recant her faith for the sake of her infant son, and even Roman officials urged her to offer a simple sacrifice to appease the Roman government, which would save her life. Perpetua declined to place anything above her love for and allegiance to Christ.
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Her decision wasn’t made in haste. Perpetua’s prison diaries tell how she sought the Lord’s guidance, relied on God’s strength and embraced Christ as worthy of her suffering. She wrote, “I cannot be called anything other than what I am, a Christian.”​
Day of the Christian Martyr is a special time when Christians remember those who have given their lives for the advancement of the gospel. This month, we hope you will be inspired by their faithful witness, committing to share Christ boldly in your own community.
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Download this Digital Resource Kit to use in person or online with your family, group, class or church.
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Includes:
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Day of the Christian Martyr 2026 video
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Questions for Reflection
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Bulletin Inserts
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Sermon Outline
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Conversation Guide: Talking with Children About Persecuted Christians
On the day of her execution, she strode to the arena with a radiant countenance. She was attacked first by a rabid cow and thrown to the ground. Calmly adjusting her tunic to protect her modesty, Perpetua requested a pin to fix her disheveled hair, as leaving it loose would be a sign of grief and loss.
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As the attacks continued, Perpetua encouraged her companions to stand fast in faith and love for one another. She endured more brutality before finally taking the sword held in the trembling hand of the young gladiator ordered to kill her and guiding it to her throat.
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Since her sacrificial death and joyful surrender to God, every generation of Christians has been inspired by Perpetua’s faithfulness to Christ.
What is the Day of the Christian Martyr?
According to church tradition, June 29 marks the martyrdom of the Apostle Paul. This month, join Christians around the world in remembering the faithful witness of those who, like Paul, have given their lives for the advancement of the gospel. And be inspired by their example to have that same boldness to share Christ in your community.
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Inspire your family, group, class or church to be bold witnesses for Christ at any cost.
Philippians 1:27-28 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.