Story
In the city of Neapolis of Samaria, the place anciently called Shechem, there was born a youth named Justin, the child of pagan parents of Greek descent. From his early years the Lord set within his heart a great hunger for truth, and he could find no rest until he should come to know the One who made heaven and earth.
Seeking after wisdom, Justin gave himself to the study of the philosophers of the Greeks. He sat at the feet of the Stoics, and then of the Peripatetics, of the followers of Pythagoras, and at last of the Platonists; yet none of these could quench the thirst of his soul or show him the living God. For his mind was keen, but his spirit was famished for the light of true knowledge.
While he walked one day in solitude beside the sea, the providence of God brought to meet him a venerable old man. This elder spoke to him gently of the prophets of old, who had foretold the coming of Christ, and who knew God not by the reasonings of men but by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. He counselled Justin to pray that the gates of the Light might be opened to him. From that hour a holy love was kindled in the heart of Justin for the Scriptures and for Christ.
He was further moved when he beheld the Christians, how they endured torments and death with joy rather than deny their Lord. He marvelled that men of such purity and courage should be slandered as evildoers, and he became persuaded that the faith for which they so gladly died was the only true philosophy. So Justin was baptized, and put on Christ.
Yet he did not cast off the philosopher's cloak, but wore it still, that he might show the world that in Christ alone is found the wisdom which the wise had sought in vain. He opened a school in the city of Rome, where many came to him to learn the way of salvation, and he travelled through the provinces of the empire proclaiming the Gospel, saying that whosoever is able to declare the truth and declares it not shall be condemned before God.
With holy boldness Justin composed defenses of the faith, which he addressed even to the emperors and the senate, refuting the false charges laid against the Christians and laying bare the emptiness of idols. He disputed also with the learned of his day, and with the prophets and the Scriptures he confounded the unbelievers. In open contest he overcame Crescens the Cynic, who, being put to shame and filled with envy, plotted thereafter to bring about his death.
When Justin was seized together with his companions and brought before Rusticus the prefect, he was commanded to offer sacrifice to the gods. But the saint answered without fear that no right-minded man forsakes true worship for impiety. When the prefect threatened him with torments and death, Justin replied that the Christians desired nothing more than to suffer for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ, for thereby they would stand with confidence before His judgment seat. Then was he condemned, and with him six companions in the faith.
So the blessed Justin and those with him were scourged and beheaded, and they received the unfading crown of martyrdom. The faithful gathered up their precious bodies and laid them to rest with honour. The Church keeps the memory of this philosopher and martyr on the first day of the month of June, and through his prayers may we also love the truth and confess Christ unto the end.