How did St. Perpetua die?

[Bballer32]

Hello everyone!

Been a long time since I’ve posted on here, since getting adjusted to college and seminary life. Anyways…

How did St. Perpetua die? My theology professor (who is OCA Orthodox priest) posed us a question as to how St. Perpetua died? As I have read, Perpetua died in the arena at Carthage along with Felicity, Satunus, etc. but in her Passion, it doesn’t specifically say how she died. She was originally stabbed in the shoulder to experience what pain was like, but, according to her diary, the man who was supposed to kill her stopped the sword right by her neck. And I know animals couldn’t have killed her since according to her story all the animals were acting strange and not attacking anyone (only a jaguar killed Satunus because he was afraid of bears and prayed that he wouldn’t die from one.)

So, my question is, did she die by the hands of the man, maybe an animal, or did she kill herself by falling on the sword by her neck?

It’s a very interesting idea of how one of the greatest female saints died, but I can’t seem to wrap my head around why she would have killed herself. But hey, I’m not the saint, she is

God Bless
Bballer32

 

[Ed_Silvia]

“and when the swordsman’s hand wandered still (for he was a novice), herself set it upon her own neck.”

IMO, she placed the sword against her neck/throat and he pulled it across.

 

[isu]

I’ve actually never heard of this Saint; very interesting. According to the ewtn website, “Perpetua had to guide the sword of the nervous executioner to her throat.” That sentence tells me that she was killed by the executioner. Which would make sense, because she is listed as a martyr.

ewtn.com/library/MARY/PERPETUA.HTM

 

[Holly3278]

I’ve actually never heard of this Saint; very interesting. According to the ewtn website, “Perpetua had to guide the sword of the nervous executioner to her throat.” That sentence tells me that she was killed by the executioner. Which would make sense, because she is listed as a martyr.

ewtn.com/library/MARY/PERPETUA.HTM

I just read this. Thank you very much for posting this. It is amazing how they endured martyrdom.

 

[glendab]

Well, for one thing I was wondering why this particular Saint was picked. Perhaps some would like to corrupt her story into a suicide that is glorified by Heaven and the Church so as to advance the Culture of Death’s arguments in favor of assisted suicides and euthanasia. But good luck with that, we know the Truth.

Can you provide more information about what your Professor was speaking about in regards to her death for us? Was he searching the past for Saints whose stories may support their agenda?

Glenda

 

[Bballer32]

Well, for one thing I was wondering why this particular Saint was picked. Perhaps some would like to corrupt her story into a suicide that is glorified by Heaven and the Church so as to advance the Culture of Death’s arguments in favor of assisted suicides and euthanasia. But good luck with that, we know the Truth.

Can you provide more information about what your Professor was speaking about in regards to her death for us? Was he searching the past for Saints whose stories may support their agenda?

Glenda

My professor is an orthodox Orthodox priest, and he chose her for her Passion and how well written it was. His agenda is not to convert people but to give them good insight on the Church and theology. He knows both the East and the West very well, and displays both in good light.

So, the whole “looking for suicide” was not on his agenda.