One of the most extensive resources on the internet for the study of early Christianity

“A libellus (certificate) from the time of persecution under the emperor Decius”

Certifying that a Christian had made sacrifice to the Roman gods. The original Greek language text, with an English translation.

 

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Click here to read at earlychurchtexts.com in the original Greek (with dictionary lookup links). The English translation below is from Gwatkin, Selections From Early Christian Writers, page 144-5.

earlychurchtexts.com

  • Is like an electronic encyclopedia of the first five centuries of Church History, with extensive links (subscription version only) to information on around 800 people and themes, and around 230 Church Councils;

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  • Gives easy access to complete Greek and Latin texts which are in the public domain and translations (where found available) from the first five centuries. There are carefully indexed links to authors and their works, including an index of commentaries, homilies etc. by biblical book. Nearly all of the Greek and Latin texts from this period contained in the Migne Patrologia series are covered. Some other sources are also used. The texts used are the scanned versions available at Google Books and elsewhere. A distinctive feature of the Early Church Texts website is that where English translations have been found available online they can easily be read immediately alongside the original Greek and Latin. (A complete list of authors represented is here. A sample text is here.)

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To the officers in charge of the sacrifices

of the village of Alexander’s Isle,

from Aurelius Diogenes,

the son of Satabus, of the village

of Alexander’s Isle, aged about 72,

with a scar on his right eyebrow.

I have always sacrificed to the gods;

and now in your presence, according

to the commands,

I have sacrificed and made a libation

and tasted of the victims;

and I desire you to subscribe.
Fare ye well.


I, Aurelius Diogenes, have delivered this…
I, Mys[… the son of …]non, [saw him] sacrificing, and have subscribed


In the first year of Imperator Caesar

Caius Messius Quintus

Trajanus Decius

Pius Felix Augustus,

on Epiphi 2 (= June 26, 250).


 



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emperor Decius
persecution of early Christians
persecution of early Church
Cyprian and Novatian
the lapsed
lapsi
Carthage
Patrologiae Latinae Cursus Completus
Patrologia Latina
 

 

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