Vibia Perpetua

July 26, 2026
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Who Defines You? Following Jesus won't always be the easiest choice. There may be moments when you're misunderstood by family, pressured by friends, overlooked at work, or tempted to compromise your convictions just to keep the peace. Perpetua's story reminds us that your identity isn't found in other people's approval—it's found in Christ. When the world tries to redefine who you are, remember whose you are. God's faithfulness is greater than the opinions, expectations, or rejection you may face. Whether you're navigating motherhood, marriage, singleness, friendships, or a season of uncertainty, ask God for the courage to remain faithful in the small decisions as well as the big ones. Every act of obedience strengthens your trust in Him. You may not be called to face an arena like Perpetua did, but every day you have the opportunity to choose faith over fear, truth over compromise, and Christ over comfort. Hold firmly to Him, because the One who calls you is always faithful, and the hope He gives will never disappoint. "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours." (John 15:18-20 ESV)

Full Transcript

In the second century, the Roman city of Carthage in North Africa had a vibrant Christian community, and among those drawn to the growing church was a young mother, Vibia Perpetua. Twenty-two and from a prosperous and respected Roman family, she was fluent in Greek and Latin, was married, and had a baby son.   

Christianity was outlawed by Rome, and Romans persecuted anyone who refused to deny Christ or to offer sacrifices to Rome’s pagan gods. In addition, Rome was suspicious of Christian rituals, such as the Lord’s Supper and the Christians’ refusal to conform to the mores and pleasures of the age. The disastrous consequence of a flood, drought, earthquake, or other calamity was often attributed to the Christians' lack of allegiance to Rome and the resultant retribution of the gods. Christians were enemies of Rome and were subject to the severest tortures … exactly where Perpetua found herself.  

Here’s Today’s Story  

It was 203 A.D., and Emperor Severus was determined to cripple Christianity. His attention was focused on North Africa, precisely the time Perpetua and her slave Felicitas discovered Christianity in Carthage. Despite the risks, they began to undergo the lengthy process of catechism to be baptized into the Church. Perpetua did this in secrecy, even hiding it from her husband. When he found out, he abandoned her, and their nursing child was taken from her.   

Perpetua’s brother joined in studying the Christian faith—much to the horror of their father, who was a pagan and violently objected on both religious and practical grounds. He repeatedly attempted to convince Perpetua to renounce her Christian belief, but she held fast.  

In March 203, the group was caught studying in preparation for baptism. Perpetua, Felicitas, and their fellow Christians were arrested. While under arrest, Perpetua’s father once again attempted to persuade her to change her allegiance, but she would not deny Christ.   

“Father, do you see this vase here?” she asked.   

“Yes, I do,” he acknowledged.   

“Could it be called by any other name than what it is?”   

He paused and finally said, “No.”   

“Well, so too I cannot be called anything other than what I am, a Christian.”   

Her father was so angered by the word Christian that he quickly departed.   

The day of the hearing arrived, and Perpetua and her friends were marched before the governor. They were questioned first and in turn each admitted to being a Christian and refused to make a sacrifice to the emperor.   

The governor turned to Perpetua. "Perform the sacrifice,” he pleaded, “and spare your father’s grief.”   

“I will not,” she responded.   

"Are you a Christian then?" he asked.   

"Yes, I am," she boldly replied.   

At that point the governor had heard enough. He condemned Perpetua and her friends to face the beasts in the arena and die by the sword.   

On March 7, 203, the day of their victory dawned. They marched from the prison in joy rather than fear. Perpetua strode proudly past the crowd as the beloved wife of Christ, putting down everyone’s stare by her own intense gaze.   

When they entered the arena, the women faced a mad bull that immediately charged and tossed Perpetua on her back. Sitting up, she straightened her hair and pulled down the tunic that was ripped along the side so that it covered her thighs, thinking more of her modesty than of her pain. She looked across the arena, and seeing that Felicitas had been crushed by the bull, she went over and lifted her up. She called for the others who had suffered attacks by a bear, a leopard, and a wild boar to help her. “We must all stand fast in the faith and love one another and not be weakened by what we have gone through," she said.   

Then they were all led to an area where the gladiators were waiting to cut their throats. But the crowd rose and cried out, “Bring them back and put them in the center of the arena so we can witness the sword piercing their flesh.”   

Perpetua led them back into the arena. Passing the balcony of the governor, she looked up at him and said, “You judge us in this world, but God will judge you in the next.” Standing in the middle of the arena, they sealed their martyrdom with the ritual kiss of peace.   

The others took the sword in silence without moving, but Perpetua was yet to suffer more pain. She screamed as she was struck on the shoulder by the trembling hand of the young gladiator who missed her throat. She looked at him, reached up, and guided the sword to her throat, demonstrating courage and a love for God that far surpassed her own fear of death … so great a woman could not be killed unless she was willing.  

Two women, facing fierce beasts and the swords of gladiators, vanquished the devil and all his fury. How appropriate that joined together, the names Perpetua and Felicitas in Latin mean “everlasting happiness” … exactly what they received as they courageously clung to Jesus, ultimately finding Him faithful.   

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours” (John 15:18-20 ESV). 

In the second century, the Roman city of Carthage in North Africa had a vibrant Christian community, and among those drawn to the growing church was a young mother, Vibia Perpetua. Twenty-two and from a prosperous and respected Roman family, she was fluent in Greek and Latin, was married, and had a baby son.

Christianity was outlawed by Rome, and Romans persecuted anyone who refused to deny Christ or to offer sacrifices to Rome’s pagan gods. In addition, Rome was suspicious of Christian rituals, such as the Lord’s Supper and the Christians’ refusal to conform to the mores and pleasures of the age. The disastrous consequence of a flood, drought, earthquake, or other calamity was often attributed to the Christians' lack of allegiance to Rome and the resultant retribution of the gods. Christians were enemies of Rome and were subject to the severest tortures … exactly where Perpetua found herself.

Here’s Today’s Story

It was 203 A.D., and Emperor Severus was determined to cripple Christianity. His attention was focused on North Africa, precisely the time Perpetua and her slave Felicitas discovered Christianity in Carthage. Despite the risks, they began to undergo the lengthy process of catechism to be baptized into the Church. Perpetua did this in secrecy, even hiding it from her husband. When he found out, he abandoned her, and their nursing child was taken from her.

Perpetua’s brother joined in studying the Christian faith—much to the horror of their father, who was a pagan and violently objected on both religious and practical grounds. He repeatedly attempted to convince Perpetua to renounce her Christian belief, but she held fast.

In March 203, the group was caught studying in preparation for baptism. Perpetua, Felicitas, and their fellow Christians were arrested. While under arrest, Perpetua’s father once again attempted to persuade her to change her allegiance, but she would not deny Christ.

“Father, do you see this vase here?” she asked.

“Yes, I do,” he acknowledged.

“Could it be called by any other name than what it is?”

He paused and finally said, “No.”

“Well, so too I cannot be called anything other than what I am, a Christian.”

Her father was so angered by the word Christian that he quickly departed.

The day of the hearing arrived, and Perpetua and her friends were marched before the governor. They were questioned first and in turn each admitted to being a Christian and refused to make a sacrifice to the emperor.

The governor turned to Perpetua. "Perform the sacrifice,” he pleaded, “and spare your father’s grief.”

“I will not,” she responded.

"Are you a Christian then?" he asked.

"Yes, I am," she boldly replied.

At that point the governor had heard enough. He condemned Perpetua and her friends to face the beasts in the arena and die by the sword.

On March 7, 203, the day of their victory dawned. They marched from the prison in joy rather than fear. Perpetua strode proudly past the crowd as the beloved wife of Christ, putting down everyone’s stare by her own intense gaze.

When they entered the arena, the women faced a mad bull that immediately charged and tossed Perpetua on her back. Sitting up, she straightened her hair and pulled down the tunic that was ripped along the side so that it covered her thighs, thinking more of her modesty than of her pain. She looked across the arena, and seeing that Felicitas had been crushed by the bull, she went over and lifted her up. She called for the others who had suffered attacks by a bear, a leopard, and a wild boar to help her. “We must all stand fast in the faith and love one another and not be weakened by what we have gone through," she said.

Then they were all led to an area where the gladiators were waiting to cut their throats. But the crowd rose and cried out, “Bring them back and put them in the center of the arena so we can witness the sword piercing their flesh.”

Perpetua led them back into the arena. Passing the balcony of the governor, she looked up at him and said, “You judge us in this world, but God will judge you in the next.” Standing in the middle of the arena, they sealed their martyrdom with the ritual kiss of peace.

The others took the sword in silence without moving, but Perpetua was yet to suffer more pain. She screamed as she was struck on the shoulder by the trembling hand of the young gladiator who missed her throat. She looked at him, reached up, and guided the sword to her throat, demonstrating courage and a love for God that far surpassed her own fear of death … so great a woman could not be killed unless she was willing.

Two women, facing fierce beasts and the swords of gladiators, vanquished the devil and all his fury. How appropriate that joined together, the names Perpetua and Felicitas in Latin mean “everlasting happiness” … exactly what they received as they courageously clung to Jesus, ultimately finding Him faithful.

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours” (John 15:18-20 ESV).