11th February

Answers to accusations

Tertullien is a part of those who we call the fathers of the Church. He was born in Cartage in 160 A.D. He was gifted with great natural talents, he did solid studies and he chose the profession as a legal expert where he distinguished and said: "Then I was blind and without the light of the Lord." He was touched by the stubbornness of the martyrs and he got converted. In his speech to the province governors he teaches us how much the Christians multiplied themselves in the empire. "We are only from yesterday and we already fill your towns, villages, managements, counsils, the public place; we only leave you your temples."

He answers the accusation that Christians are trouble-makers as follows: The trouble of the Christians is that they are united in the same religion, the same moral and the same hope. We form a conspiracy to pray God when we are together and to read the godly scripture. If somebody has sinned he is deprived from the communion until he repents. These assemblies are presided by elders whose wisdom deserves this honour. Everybody pays his tax every month if he wishes or if he can. This treasure helps to feed and bury the poor, to help the widows, the unemployed, the orphans and the life wrecked. We call ourselves brothers and we are prepared to die for each other."