St. Justin, Martyr
Feast day: June 1
Born around the year A.D. 100 in the Palestinian province of Samaria, Justin was raised in the Greek pagan religion. At the age of 30, he became a Christian and traveled to debate pagan philosophers, eventually going to Rome. He opened a school of Christian philosophy and wrote major works in apologetics and philosophy. Around the year 165, Justin was arrested for being a Christian during the persecution that occurred under Emperor Marcus Aurelius. He refused to offer a sacrifice to the pagan gods worshipped by the Romans, so he was scourged and beheaded along with six other Christians. He is patron of philosophers.
Collect
O God, who through the folly of the Cross
wondrously taught Saint Justin the Martyr
the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ,
grant us, through his intercession,
that, having rejected deception and error,
we may become steadfast in the faith.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
