Case file · Witness · Prove All Things
The Mass in AD 155
“But prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:21, Douay-Rheims
The case
Around the year one hundred fifty-five, a philosopher wrote to the Roman emperor to defend the Christians. And he told him what they do on Sunday. His name was Justin. He went from school to school in philosophy before he found Christ. Later, Rome cut off his head for it. Listen to what he describes.
The evidence
Every quotation below is printed in the words of the edition named under it. Nothing is paraphrased.
“on the day called Sunday”First Apology 67 — read it at the source
“the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read”First Apology 67 — read it at the source
“the president verbally instructs”First Apology 67 — read it at the source
“we all rise together and pray”First Apology 67 — read it at the source
“bread and wine and water are brought”First Apology 67 — read it at the source
“For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these... the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word... is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh.”First Apology 66 — read it at the source
What’s established, and what isn’t
What the sources support, claim by claim — each one checked against the sources listed at the foot of this page:
- Justin's First Apology addressed to Antoninus Pius, c. 150-155
- Justin tried several philosophical schools before conversion (Dialogue with Trypho 2-8)
- Martyred (beheaded) in Rome c. 165
- First Apology 67 description of Sunday worship
- First Apology 66: not common bread and drink; flesh and blood of the incarnate Jesus
- First Apology 66: only the baptized who believe and live as Christ enjoined may partake
Where the record stops short:
- Justin's First Apology is dated about AD 150-155. He is describing Sunday worship as he knew it, in a public defence addressed to the emperor.
- He was martyred in Rome about AD 165.
For your men’s group
- Read Justin's description and your last Sunday side by side. What is the same?
- He wrote it to an emperor who could have him killed, and still described the Eucharist plainly. Why not soften it?
- If a stranger read a description of how your family keeps Sunday, what would it say you believe?
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Every source
- Justin Martyr, First Apology 65-67 (ANF vol. 1 via New Advent)
- Justin Martyr, First Apology, printed ANF text (independent check of 66-67)
Found an error? [email protected] — errata corrected the day they’re found.
Drafted with AI assistance, founder-directed, and checked against the sources linked here. Our editorial standards.
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