The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins. Soren Kierkegaard
The next six posts are excerpts from Lisa Bevere’s book Without Rival: Embrace Your Identity and Purpose in an Age of Confusion & Comparison. Chapter Nine. Revell 2016. This story, as Thecla’s earlier from Chapter Ten, also is unforgettable. I strongly encourage you female readers consider buying several copies to share with vulnerable women struggling spiritually in your families and spheres of influence during these deceptive days. Remember, the Great Commission states we are to make disciples, not merely converts. I just heard a sermon on Discipleship where the ionic formula for discipleship was the same as water: H20; 2 H’s & 1 O…..or Humility – Holiness – Obedience. Don’t forget it!
This woman, a daughter without rival:
Defied the most powerful and perverse ruler in the world.
Gave a bold gospel presentation considered incomparable.
Was beaten, tempted, and tortured in every way imaginable and yet remained steadfast to the gospel, her friends, her Lord.
Was imprisoned but her reach could not be contained.
Was single but far from alone.
Was numbered among the apostles, and early church historians say her ministry was nearly unrivaled in signs and wonders.
You may be wondering why you don’t know her.
I understand. I only recently met her myself. She is but one of the many women who were church mothers whose names were buried by the sands of time. Over the course of my life I had heard whispers of her exploits. I wanted to meet her. I wasn’t content for her to remain a rumor, so I searched resources on church history to find her. In my pursuit, I called bible scholars, researched on line, and purchased books. Once I discovered her name, I was able to assemble enough pieces to make her acquaintance. Once I knew her, I thought it only right that you should meet her as well.
Her name is Photina, or at times Photini. Her name is Greek and means “enlightened one.” It was the name she adopted when she was baptized into the Christian faith. As He did with all of us, Jesus flooded her world with a revelation of light. As a devout believer in Christ, she was numbered with those who were gathered in the upper room. When the Holy Spirit came upon their number in power, she was there; a tongue of fire rested on her, and she was filled with the Spirit and began to speak in another language. On Pentecost Photina received the commission to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth.
She left everything and traveled to Africa, but not alone, bringing most of her family along. Her encounter with Christ wrought such a compelling transformation in her life that both of her sons and all five of her sisters followed her. In Africa, they all labored faithfully, spreading the gospel of Christ in Carthage, producing astounding fruit.
When news reached them that Nero, deranged emperor, was arresting and persecuting Christians, Photina sought God’s wisdom. Jesus appeared to her in a dream and instructed her to go to Rome and confront him. So rather than move beyond Nero’s reach, they headed straight into the eye of the storm. Immediately, Photina, her son, and her sisters set sail for Rome in the company of a large contingent of Carthaginian Christians.
They were warned there would be consequences if they chose to openly live their Christian faith. Here is a conversation between her son Victor, who served as a Roman officer, and an official named Sebastian.
“Victor, I know that you, your mother, and your brother are followers of Christ. As a friend I advise you to submit to the will of the emperor. If you inform on any Christians, you will receive their wealth. I shall write to your mother and brother, asking them not to preach Christ in public. Let them practice their faith in secret.” Victor replied, “I want to be a preacher of Christianity like my mother and brother.” Sebastian said, “O Victor, we all know what woes await you, your mother, and your brother.”
How many would still practice their faith openly if they knew their decision would mean guaranteed woe. Later her son Victor threw his lot in with his mother, brother, and aunts. Here is an excerpt from the same document cited earlier that lends a window into her first audience with Nero.
“Photini’s (Photina’s) arrival and activity aroused curiosity in the capital city. “Who is this woman?” they asked. “She came here with a crowd of followers and she preaches Christ with great boldness. Soldiers were ordered to bring her to the emperor, but Photini anticipated them. Before they could arrest her, Photini, with her son Joseph and her Christian friends went to Nero. When the emperor saw them, he asked why they had come. Photini answered, “We have come to teach you to believe in Christ.” The half-mad ruler of the Roman Empire did not frighten her. She wanted to convert him.”
Not surprisingly, Nero was less than receptive. He ordered that those who claimed to be in the hands of Jesus should have their hands beaten with iron rods. The Guards took Photina and all those in her company away to be beaten for their imprudence. Over the next three hours their hands were brutally beaten with iron rods but the Christians felt no pain and sang psalms while their torturers exhausted themselves. Not one of the Christ Followers had as much as a mark on their hands.
When Nero discovered that the beatings had no effect on them, he imprisoned them and devised a plan to convince Photina and her sisters to convert. This time he intended to turn them to his will with kindness. He ordered six thrones set up in a large banqueting hall. Before these thrones he arranged to have every manner of Roman wealth arrayed before the sisters. No expense was spared in the collection that would appeal to the feminine soul. In addition to gold and silver there were jewels and magnificent garments laid out before each woman. These riches and a life of ease could be theirs if they would only renounce their Christian faith and sacrifice to the Roman deity. To persuade them toward this end, he commissioned his very own daughter, Domnina, to act as his agent.
NEXT UP: Continuation of Photina’s Life & Times