16,951
edits
Changes
added descriptions
==Background==
[[Tertullian]] once said that "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church," and the Body of Christ continually witnesses to this reality. Where the persecution of the Orthodox faith becomes great enough that Christians are killed for their faith, history typically records a resurgence of faith and piety among the people of that region.
==Descriptions of martyrs==
Martyrs are known under a number of descriptions. These are:
:'''Martyrs''' as a whole are those saints who suffered death in Christ's name, for remaining loyal to the true faith, or for refusing to serve idols.
:'''Great Martyrs''' are those saints who suffered particularly harsh treatment and punishments before suffering death.
:'''Hieromartyrs''' are those saints who suffered death as [[priests]].
:'''Venerable Martyrs''' are those saints who suffered death as a member of [[monasticism|monastic]] orders.
{{incomplete}}
[[Category:Martyrs]]