# Severe Persecution In The East, About A. D. 718.

c. 718 · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: SEVERE PERSECUTION IN THE EAST, ABOUT A. D. 718.

Source heading; not independently verified

There was now considerable tranquillity in the
western countries, but in the East commotions began
to arise; for about the year 718, Haumar,134
King of the Saracens, issued bloody decrees for the
persecution of the Christians. He prohibited wine,
according to the laws of Mohammed, which, however,
did not matter much; but the most grievous
of all was this: he endeavored to compel the Christians
to apostatize and deny Christ; he promised
exemption from tribute and taxes to those who,
forsaking Christ, should adhere to Mohammed; on
the other hand, he threatened to punish with death,
all those who should cling steadfastly to Christ. In
the meantime he oppressed them with intolerable
burdens, and deprived some of life, by various
torments.135

He also made a law that the testimony of a Christian
should not be valid, nor be accepted against a
Saracen. In short, it is stated that by virtue of said
decrees, many of the innocent and defenseless Christians
became martyrs; but in default of faithful historians
of that time, the names of said martyrs have
not come down to us, save a few, as shall appear.

NOTE.—Above all, it must be observed in this
account of the eastern martyrs, that, as far as regards
open churches or communities, those of the
East had long before separated from those of the
West, that is, from the Roman church, because
they would not be subject to the power and dominion
of the Pope of Rome, who, already, A. D. 606,
had been declared head of all the churches; but as
such they would by no means recognize or accept
him. This separation, in the course of time, assumed
such proportions, that, as far as we know,
they have not united again even to the present day.

Moreover, it is established by different writers,
that, besides said separated churches, called the
Greek, there are other churches in the East, principally
in the region of Thessalonica, who are agreed
in all respects with the Anabaptists of the present
day, and have maintained such faith and practice
uninterruptedly from the time of the apostles; of
this, however, we shall speak more fully in the sixteenth
century, in connection with baptism.

220

This being the case, it would not be surprising, if
in said persecution of the Christians in the East, not
only this or that single person, but, what is more,
very many true believers were martyred and put to
death for the true faith in Jesus Christ, and the sincere
practice of the precepts of the Gospel. Nevertheless,
we can tell no more than what the ancient
writers have left us, and shall, therefore, proceed
accordingly, adding, whenever we think it necessary,
our own opinion in the margin or in a note.





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