Martyrs Of Christ

John the Beloved was the youngest  of the Apostles of Jesus. He was the Author of the Book of John and the Book of Revelation. He was born in AD 6 and was the last Disciple to die. 
During the reign of Emperor Domitian in AD 81-96, the Church faced great persecution and many Christians were captured, tortured and even killed. 
Apostle John was captured and banished to the Island of Patmos  during the latter part of his life. 
Patmos was a small, rocky and barren area where many criminals of Rome were sent to serve out their prison terms in harsh conditions, there were mines on the Island that the criminals were forced to work in. John was sent to Patmos for his Faith in Jesus Christ and was given same treatment as a Criminal of Rome.
It was in Patmos that he began to have visions and these were written in the Book of Revelation. 
One of the visions was on Martyrs.

Martyr Ignatius  was the Bishop of Antioch. He was born to Pagan Parents and was converted to Christianity at an early age. Ignatius was ordained Bishop of Antioch by Apostle Peter. Martyr Ignatius made enormous contributions to Christian theology. His contributions and works impacted the Church greatly. 
He was executed in Flavian Amphitheatre known today as the Colosseum. He travelled from Antioch to Rome bound in chains. During the trip he had the possibility to write some letters which gives us insight to his personality and the situation of the Church at the time. The Church of Jesus Christ has come a long. It has suffered great pain to get to where we are today. Many paid the ultimate price to bring us to this point in History. They suffered for Love. They suffered because they wouldn't give up the Love of Christ for anything.  

Every year on December 13 ,  Lucia, a Devout Christian Martyr is celebrated and remembered.
Lucia of Syracuse as she is called represents  Light to a dark world. 
She helped Christians in hiding during the Diocletianic persecution under the Tetrachy; Emperor Diocletian, Emperor Maximiam, Emperor Galerius and Emperor Constantius.
This persecution was the largest and bloodiest official persecution of Christianity. 

History has it that Martyr Lucia would bring food to the Christians hiding in the Catacombs under the city, wearing candles on her Head to enable her use both hands to carry supplies for the Christians.
Her name Lucia comes from a Latin word "Lux" which means Light.
Her Martyrdom brought many to Christ and today She is still Lighting up the world.