The twelve North African Christians hauled before the Roman magistrate during the reign of Marcus Aurelius made it clear that they would render Caesar his due with respect and taxes, but in rendering to God what is God’s alone they could not worship Caesar or participate in war. As a result of their fidelity to God they received the honor of becoming the first Christian martyrs in Africa. Fidelity to God in a world of idolatry sometimes calls for heroic faith.
