Life and significance
Christianity argued as the true philosophy
St Justin Martyr was born in Flavia Neapolis in Samaria and became known as a philosopher and Christian teacher. In the Dialogue with Trypho, he tells of searching through several schools of philosophy before an elderly Christian directed him toward the prophets and Christ. Justin later taught in Rome, where he continued to wear the philosopher’s cloak and presented Christianity as the true philosophy. His writings address readers formed by Greco-Roman religion, philosophy, and public life.
Justin’s surviving works include the First Apology and the Dialogue with Trypho. He defended Christians against criminal accusations, explained their worship and moral conduct, and argued that the divine Logos fulfills the deepest truths sought by philosophers and proclaimed by the prophets. The ancient Acts of Justin preserve the tradition that he and his companions were tried before the prefect Rusticus and executed after refusing to sacrifice. The Orthodox Church honors him as a philosopher, apologist, and martyr.