Sacrifice Certificates

During the third century CE, the Roman Emperor Decius decreed that everyone in the Roman Empire must worship the Roman gods. This meant that it was illegal to be a Christian, since Christians would not worship the Roman gods.

Throughout the Roman Empire, government officials in cities and towns enforced this decree. Each resident had to make a sacrifice to the Roman gods under the supervision of an official. Then, the official would give him a certificate to show that he had made the sacrifice.

The following is an example of a sacrifice certificate that a person would receive once he had made the sacrifice:

To those who are overseeing the sacrifices of the village Theadelphia. From Aurelia Bellias, daughter of Peteres, and her daughter, Capinis.

We have always been constant to sacrifice to the gods. And now also, in your presence, according to the rules, I have poured libation, sacrificed, and tasted the holy offerings. And I ask you to certify this for us. May you prosper.

We, Aurelius Serenus and Hermas, saw you sacrificing.

I, Hermas, certify this.

Year 1 of Emperor Caesar Gaius Messius Quintus Traianus Decius Pius Felix Augustus.

This sacrifice certificate was issued to two women. It was signed by a Roman official named Hermas. It showed that the owners of this certificate were loyal to the Roman gods, and good residents of the Roman Empire.

The sacrifice certificate contributed significantly to a person’s quality of life. If a person had a sacrifice certificate, then he would be in good standing with the government, and other people would live peaceably with them.

However, since Christians did not make the sacrifice, they not get this certificate. The other Roman people felt that Christians were uncooperative people who just wanted to rebel against the government and disrupt society. Hence, the early Christians suffered as they were treated badly by the other Roman people.

These early Christians could have ended their suffering by compromising. They simply had to offer sacrifice to the Roman gods in front of a government official. Then, they will receive a sacrifice certificate which would have made their lives so much better. People would stop treating them badly and start respecting them more.

Yet, these early Christians considered that it was more important to remain loyal to Jesus Christ rather than to betray him in order to improve the quality of lives.