Justin the Martyr, Saint (100?-165?), was the first prominent defender of the Christian faith against non-Christians. Justin is known as an apologist because he defended Christian beliefs and practices against suspicions and false accusations made by non-Christians.
Justin’s surviving writings use Greek philosophical ideas to explain Christian theological doctrines. His writings also provide descriptions and explanations of Christian life and worship. In two theological essays called Apologies, Justin defended Christians against charges of atheism, sexual immorality, and disobedience to civil authority. Justin attempted to show that Christianity was superior to other religions and that Christians led pious lives.
Justin was born into a Greek family in what is now Nabulus, in the West Bank region of Southwest Asia. He tried various Greek and Roman philosophies before converting to Christianity in about 130. In the Dialogue with Trypho, Justin gave an account of his conversion. By about 150, Justin was teaching Christian philosophy in Rome. He was beheaded in Rome because he was a Christian. Christianity was an outlawed religion at that time. Justin’s feast day is celebrated on April 14 in the Roman Catholic Church and June 1 in the Eastern Orthodox Churches.
