Persecution By The Pagan Emperor Diocletian
At that time, Diocletian, the pagan emperor, began to torture and kill Christians who refused to worship his idols, Apollo and Artemis. When Mark was ordered to kneel before the idols and offer incense, he refused initially; however, after some persuasion, he consented to worshipping the idols, forsaking the Creator of the universe.
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Famous quotes containing the words persecution, pagan and/or emperor:
“That diabolical Hell conceived principle of persecution rages among some [people] and to their eternal Infamy the clergy can furnish their Quota of Imps for such business.”
—James Madison (1751–1836)
“It was the words “descended into Hades”
That seemed too pagan to our liberal youth.
You know they suffered from a general onslaught.
And well, if they weren’t true why keep right on
Saying them like the heathen? We could drop them.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)
“The emperor is in the Church, not about the Church.”
—Ambrose (c. 333–397)