The Martyr of the Catacombs

The Martyr of the Catacombs is a book I recommend every family should read. It was written by a anonymous writer and was published.



When Marcellus, a young and honored soldier visits the Coliseum with his friend, Lucullus. He watched all the fights and battles and the killing, but, when three bloodthirsty panthers were thrown in the arena with a to kill and old Christian man, Marcellus felt touched as the panthers tore the man to pieces. More wild animals were put in the arena, and several young Christian girls were put in the arena. As death was drawing near the young maidens sang,



Unto Him that loved us,

To Him that washed us from our sins

In His own blood;

To Him that made us kings and priests,

To our God and Father

To Him be glory and dominion

Forever and ever.

Hallelujah. Amen!

After that there was blood of agony and shrieks as each of them were killed by the wild beasts.



That gave Marcellus a curiosity of Christianity. That was when his best friend Lucullus told him that the emperor had told him to tell you that he was giving you the job of finding the Christians in the catacombs and arresting them.

So the next day Marcellus woke up early and woke up his soldiers and headed to look for the catacombs. He walked down a road called The Appian Way, and looked around him at all the tombs of his ancestors and all the beautiful buildings and riches that he may someday obtain. He walked through the city and back into the country. It was getting dark out when he saw an old man carrying a bundle with a boy walking next to him. he walked over to then and asked,''Do you know where the catacombs are?'' When the old man heard what he had said he fled, but Marcellus grabbed the boy's arm.''What was in that bundle?'' he asked sternly. "Supplies'' replied the boy. ''For whom?'' Marcellus asked. ''For people in need'' said the boy. ''Who are the people in need?'' Marcellus said. ''I cannot betray them sir.'' said the boy. ''Betray who? asked Marcellus. ''The Christians.'' said the boy. ''What is your name?'' said Marcellus. ''Pollio.'' replied the boy. ''Who is your father and mother?'' asked Marcellus. ''My father died in war and my mother is Lady Cecelia whom I live in the catacomb with.'' replied Pollio. ''Lead me to the catacombs. said Marcellus. ''I cannot betray my friends.'' said Pollio. ''Listen.'' said Marcellus. ''If you show me to the catacombs the Christians can do whatever the want with me. For I do not know the paths of the catacombs.'' The boy thought for a moment and then said, ''If you keep your promise I will lead you to the catacombs.'' They walked into a small hut and Pollio stopped at a door. ''This door leads to the catacombs. Follow me.'' said Pollio.They walked for hours until Marcellus heard singing. They walked right where the Christians were. Marcellus saw and elderly looking man. ''He must be the leader of them all.'' thought Marcellus. All the Christians stopped, some fled, some stayed. ''Pollio!'' shouted Lady Cecelia with a pale and worried face. ''Welcome'' said the elderly man. ''I am Honorius.'' Marcellus looked at the man. ''I have been told to arrest the Christians.'' said Marcellus.''But one day when I visited the Coliseum I saw Christians being killed by wild beasts.'' ''I have been wondering about what you believe. I have been told to hate Christians all my life but when I saw the Christians being killed I saw how bold they were and how bravely they faced death. I have wanted to learn what they believe. Honorius then told him the gospel, and Marcellus committed his life to the Father.

The Martyr of the Catacombs

The book "The Martyr of the Catacombs" is about a young Roman soldier Named Marcellus, who was converted to Christianity during a time of great persecution of Christians. After his conversion, Marcellus lived in the catacombs with all the other Christians, until he gave up his life for his Savior.

Marcellus' curiosity of Christianity began while he was at the Coliseum, and he saw the Christians being persecuted. He watched as young girls and old men boldly faced death. Shortly after this Marcellus was put in charge of arresting all the Christians. Then Marcellus found a young Christian boy named pollio, who ended up leading Marcellus to the catacombs where the Christians were. While Marcellus was there a man named Honorious shared the gospel with Marcellus, and shortly after Marcellus was saved. Because of this Marcellus was forced to live in the catacombs, but he was more happy there than he had ever been before. He continued to grow in knowledge and in spirit while he was there. But then one day Pollio, the boy who had brought Marcellus to the catacombs, was arrested. Marcellus watched as Polio was brought into the colliseum and bravely accepted death to a tiger. After Pollio's death Marcellus stood up from the crowd and shouted "O death, where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory?... thanks be to God who giveth us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ", and then he was arrested. Marcellus was then burned at the stake and before he died he shouted "Victory".

This was a very inspiring book, and it really showed what true Christianity is, and how far Christians have gone astray. I would definately recomend this book to any Christian person.