We have lots of friends in the Eucharist

Martyrdom of St Polycarp

Tomorrow, the church celebrates the memory of Saints Nereus and Achilleus, early Christian Martyrs of Rome along with Saint Pancras.  We do not know a lot about each of them except that they were honoured and remembered in the liturgy of the early Roman church.  

By tradition, Nereus and Achilleus were soldiers who converted to Christ and were martyred around 100 A.D..  Pancras was a 14 year old boy who was beheaded during the Great Persecution associated with Diocletian in 303 on the Via Aurelia on the way out of Rome for having refused to offer sacrifice to the Roman gods.

I have read and heard more than once an attempt by some historians to downplay the extent of Christian martyrdom in Rome before the Empire converted to Christianity.  What is certain is that Christianity was illegal and persecuted. The extent of persecution varies over time and across the vast region included in the Empire. The Great Persecution of theearly 300’s under Diocletian is attested.

Today, countless number of people suffer death and martyrdom at the hands of tyrants.  Tragically, the innocent and the most defenceless among us are put to death.  In every mass we remember these and join our prayers with those of the whole church remembering that we, too, are in huge need of mercy and love.  As the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer 1) says:

For ourselves, too, we ask some share in the fellowship of your apostles and martyrs, with John the Baptist, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, [Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia] and all the saints. Though we are sinners, we trust in your mercy and love. Do not consider what we truly deserve, but grant us your forgiveness.

And, in the Collect of the day for the Mass for Saints Nereus and Achilleus we hear:

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we, who know the great courage of the glorious Martyrs Nereus and Achilleus in confessing you, may experience their loving intercession for us in your presence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son…….

And, in the Common of (several) Martyrs during Easter time we hear:

As we celebrate by this divine banquet the heavenly victory of the blessed Martyrs Nereus and Achilleus, we beseech you, Lord, to bestow victory on those who eat here below of the Bread of life and to allow them to eat as victors from the tree of life in paradise. Through Christ our Lord…..

We have many friends in Christ – more than we can ever imagine or tell.  When we eat together the Bread of Life we are signing up to join the company.  It will not always be easy.