Why Persecutions and Martyrdom?

If Rome was polytheist and tolerating all types of religion why the Christians where persecuted? While most of the citizens and entire Roman Empire was generally pagan and polytheist, Christians introduce new religion that is Monotheist. They rejected to adore and gave incense to the roman gods and believe in God Trinity. They refused to take part in the military services or frequenting public places and live a pagan life style. This irritates the romans including the Jewish community who also considered Christians as their enemy (heretics). Therefore they influenced the common civilians and the upper classes against the Christians, accusing them with all shorts of false accusations. In short Christians were accused of disobeying the decree of the emperor and refused to serve the roman deity.

Another reason why the Christians were persecuted was for political advantage of gaining the sympathy of the people to reach the power and at the same time to confiscate the lands and belongings of the wealthy roman citizens and aristocrats who converted to Christianity. This was seen in the case of St. Cecilia and Valerianus (the husband) who were martyred because of the ambition and personal greed of the Prefect of Rome.

One basic reason why the Christians were persecuted was because of a noble cause they defended, that they defended the social justice and the equality among people in the roman society. The Christians believe that all human beings are equal because they are children of God, including also the women and slaves. This principle was not approved and tolerated by the roman society, in particular manner by the Emperors. For this reason they accused the Christians as an underground political movement against the state. The Pope and the hierarchy of the Church were persecuted, with the intention that once they were killed the number of Christians will naturally be diminished and weakened. However the history demonstrated that, the more the Christians were persecuted and martyred the more they flourished and became numerous. This will justified the prophecy of Jesus when he said: "…they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.  This will result in your being witnesses to them.  But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.  For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.  You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death" (Luke 21:12-16).

By enduring the persecution the Christians believe and testified in the promise of Jesus to his disciples: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven..." (Mt 5,10-12).

The martyrdom of the Christians was fortified by the conviction given by testament of Paul when he wrote to the Corinthians: "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed - always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body" (2 Corinthians 4,7-11).