# Martyrdom of Carpus, Papylus and Agathonice

- Author: Anonymous
- Latin title: *Martyrium Carpi, Papyli et Agathonices*
- Date: ca. 161–180 or 249–251 (disputed)
- Source: Oscar von Gebhardt, ed., Ausgewählte Märtyrerakten (Berlin: Karl Curtius, 1902), item II, pp. 13–17 (OCR made for this site)

- Translation: Claude, from the original text, unless a passage says otherwise; each passage below gives the translator
- Work page: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/
- Passages: 48

## Martyrdom of Carpus, Papylus and Agathonice (title)

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-0
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Title of the account.

### Greek text

Μαρτύριον τῶν ἁγίων Κάρπου, Παπύλου καὶ Ἀγαϑονίκης.

### English translation (Claude)

Martyrdom of the holy Carpus, Papylus, and Agathonice.

### Citation (SBL)

Act. pref. (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0).

## 1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-1
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Carpus and Papylus are brought before the proconsul at Pergamum.

### Greek text

Ἐνδημοῦντος τοῦ ἀνθυπάτου ἐν Περγάμῳ προσήχϑησαν αὐτῷ οἱ μακάριοι Κάρπος καὶ Παπύλος, μάρτυρες τοῦ Χριστοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

While the proconsul was staying in Pergamum, the blessed Carpus and Papylus, martyrs of Christ, were brought before him.

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 1 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/1).

## 2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-2
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The proconsul asks Carpus his name.

### Greek text

ὁ δὲ ἀνθύπατος προκαϑίσας ἔφη" Τίς καλῇ;

### English translation (Claude)

The proconsul took his seat and said, “What is your name?”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 2 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/2).

## 3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-3
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Carpus gives his first name as “Christian.”

### Greek text

ὁ δὲ μακάριος ἔφη. Τὸ πρῶτον καὶ ἐξαίρετον ὄνομα Χριστιανός, εἰ δὲ τὸ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ ζητεῖς, Κάρπος.

### English translation (Claude)

The blessed man said, “My first and chosen name is Christian; but if you ask for my name in the world, it is Carpus.”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 3 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/3).

## 4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-4
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The proconsul cites the imperial decrees and orders sacrifice.

### Greek text

ὁ ἀνϑύπατος εἶπεν: Ἔγνωσταί σοι πάντως τὰ προστάγματα τῶν Αὐγούστων περὶ τοῦ δεῖν ὑμᾶς σέβειν τοὺς ϑεοὺς τοὺς τὰ πάντα διοικοῦντας" ὅϑεν συμβουλεύω ὑμῖν προσελϑεῖν καὶ ϑῦσαι.

### English translation (Claude)

The proconsul said, “You are surely acquainted with the decrees of the Augusti, that you must worship the gods who govern all things. So I advise you to come forward and sacrifice.”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 4 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/4).

## 5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-5
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Carpus confesses Christ and refuses to sacrifice.

### Greek text

Κάρπος εἶπεν" Ἐγὼ Χριστιανός εἰμι, Χριστὸν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ϑεοῦ σέβομαι, τὸν ἐλϑόντα ἐν ὑστέροις καιροῖς ἐπὶ σωτηρίᾳ ἡμῶν καὶ δυσάμενον ἡμᾶς τῆς πλάνης τοῦ διαβόλου, τοιούτοις δὲ εἰδώλοις οὐ ϑύω.

### English translation (Claude)

Carpus said, “I am a Christian. I worship Christ, the Son of God, who came in the last times for our salvation and delivered us from the deceit of the devil; and to idols such as these I do not sacrifice.

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 5 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/5).

## 6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-6
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Sacrifice to demons makes the worshipper like them.

### Greek text

ποίει ὃ ϑέλεις. ἐμὲ γὰρ ἀδύνατον ϑῦσαι κιβδήλοις φάσμασιν δαιμόνων" οἱ γὰρ τούτοις ϑύοντες ὅμοιοι αὐτοῖς εἶσιν.

### English translation (Claude)

Do what you wish. For it is impossible for me to sacrifice to the counterfeit phantoms of demons; for those who sacrifice to them become like them.

### Scripture references

- Ps 115:8 (113:16 LXX): echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- The printed text has “are like them”; cf. Ps 115:8 for the thought.

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 6 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/6).

## 7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-7
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: True worshippers become like God; idol-worshippers become like the demons.

### Greek text

ὥσπερ γὰρ οἱ ἀληϑινοὶ προσκυνηταί, κατὰ τὴν ϑείαν ὑπόμνησιν τοῦ κυρίου, οἱ ἐν πνεύματι καὶ ἀληϑείᾳ προσκυνοῦντες τῷ ϑεῷ, ἀφομοιοῦνται τῇ δόξη τοῦ ϑεοῦ xai εἰσὶν μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ ἀϑάνατοι, μεταλαβόντες τῆς αἰωνίου ζωῆς διὰ τοῦ λόγου, οὕτως x«i οἱ τούτοις λατρεύοντες ἀφομοιοῦνται τῇ ματαιότητι τῶν δαιμόνων καὶ σὺν αὐτοῖς ἀπόλλυνται ἐν γεέννῃ·

### English translation (Claude)

For just as the true worshippers—according to the Lord's divine reminder, those who worship God in spirit and truth—are made like the glory of God and are immortal with him, having received eternal life through the Word, so also those who serve these are made like the vanity of the demons and perish with them in Gehenna.

### Scripture references

- John 4:23: allusion, high confidence
- Matt 10:28: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- John 4:23–24; for perishing in Gehenna cf. Matt 10:28 (Gebhardt's margin).

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 7 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/7).

## 8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-8
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Idolaters justly share the devil's fate; Carpus will not sacrifice.

### Greek text

δίκη γὰρ δικαία ἐστὶν μετὰ τοῦ πλανήσαντος τὸν ἄνθρωπον, τὸ ἐξαίρετον κτίσμα τοῦ ϑεοῦ, λέγω δὴ τοῦ διαβόλου τοῦ παραζηλώσαντος οἰχείᾳ πονηρίᾳ ⟨τοὺς δαίμονας⟩ ἐπὶ τοῦτο. ὅϑεν γίνωσχε, ἀνθϑύπατε, μὴ ϑύειν με τούτοις.

### English translation (Claude)

For it is a just penalty that they share the lot of him who led humanity astray—humanity, the chosen creature of God—I mean the devil, who out of his own wickedness incited ⟨the demons⟩ to this. Know, then, proconsul, that I do not sacrifice to these.”

### Translation notes

- “The demons” is the editor's supplement. Gebhardt notes that αὐτοῖς (“for them”) may have fallen out after “is”; the sense is the same.

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 8 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/8).

## 9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-9
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The proconsul angrily orders sacrifice.

### Greek text

Ὁ δὲ ἀνθύπατος ϑυμωϑεὶς ἔφη Θύσατε τοῖς ϑεοῖς καὶ μὴ μωραίνετε.

### English translation (Claude)

The proconsul, enraged, said, “Sacrifice to the gods and do not play the fool.”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 9 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/9).

## 10

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-10
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Carpus quotes Jeremiah against the gods.

### Greek text

Κάρπος ὑπομειδιάσας εἶπεν" Θεοί, oi τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν οὐκ ἐποίησαν, ἀπο- λέσϑωσαν.

### English translation (Claude)

Carpus smiled gently and said, “Let the gods who did not make heaven and earth perish.”

### Scripture references

- Jer 10:11: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Jer 10:11, in the Greek wording.

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 10 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/10).

## 11

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-11
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The proconsul cites the emperor's command.

### Greek text

Ὁ ἀνϑύπατος εἶπεν. Θῦσαί σε δεῖ" οὕτως γὰρ ἐκέλευσεν ὃ αὐτοχράτωρ.

### English translation (Claude)

The proconsul said, “You must sacrifice; for so the emperor has commanded.”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 11 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/11).

## 12

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-12
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The living do not sacrifice to the dead.

### Greek text

Κάρπος εἶπεν" Οἱ ζῶντες τοῖς νεχροῖς οὐ ϑύουσιν.

### English translation (Claude)

Carpus said, “The living do not sacrifice to the dead.”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 12 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/12).

## 13

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-13
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The proconsul asks whether Carpus thinks the gods are dead.

### Greek text

ἀνϑύπατος εἶπεν. Οἱ ϑεοὶ δοκοῦσίν σοι νεκροὶ εἶναι;

### English translation (Claude)

The proconsul said, “Do the gods seem to you to be dead?”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 13 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/13).

## 14

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-14
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The idols never lived, so they cannot even die.

### Greek text

Κάρπος εἶπεν: Θέλεις ἀχοῦσαι; οὗτοι οὔτε ἄνϑρωποι ὄντες ποτὲ ἔζησαν, ἵνα καὶ ἀποϑάνωσιν;

### English translation (Claude)

Carpus said, “Do you want to hear? These never even lived as human beings, that they might also die.

### Translation notes

- Gebhardt prints Harnack's correction “human beings” (ἄνθρωποι) for the manuscript's “of human beings.”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 14 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/14).

## 15

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-15
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Without human honor the idols are mere decaying matter.

### Greek text

ϑέλεις δὲ μαϑεῖν ὅτι ἀληϑές ἐστιν τοῦτο; ἄρον τὴν τιμήν σου ἀπ᾽ αὐτῶν ἣν δοκεῖς προσφέρειν αὐτοῖς, καὶ γνώσῃ ὅτι οὐϑέν εἰσιν, ὕλη γῆς ὑπάρχοντα xai τῷ χρόνῳ φϑειρόμενα.

### English translation (Claude)

Do you want to learn that this is true? Take away from them the honor you think you offer them, and you will know that they are nothing: things of earthly matter, perishing with time.

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 15 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/15).

## 16

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-16
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The eternal God contrasted with man-made, perishable gods.

### Greek text

ὁ γὰρ ϑεὸς ἡμῶν ἄχρονος ὧν καὶ τοὺς αἰῶνας ποιήσας, αὐτὸς ἄφϑαρτος καὶ αἰώνιος διαμένει, ὁ αὐτὸς ἀεὶ ὦν, μήτε αὔξησιν μήτε μείωσιν ἐπιδεχόμενος, οὗτοι δὲ καὶ γίνονται ὑπὸ ἀνθρώπων καὶ φϑείρονται, ὡς ἔφην, ὑπὸ τοῦ χρόνου.

### English translation (Claude)

For our God, who is timeless and made the ages, himself remains incorruptible and eternal, ever the same, admitting neither increase nor decrease; but these are both made by human beings and, as I said, destroyed by time.

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 16 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/16).

## 17

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-17
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The devil explains pagan oracles: he foretells wars he himself prepares.

### Greek text

τὸ δὲ χρησμεύειν καὶ ἀπατᾶν αὐτοὺς μὴ ϑαυμάσης" ὁ γὰρ διάβολος ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς πεσὼν ἐκ τῆς ἐνδόξου αὐτοῦ τάξεως οἰκείᾳ μοχϑηρίᾳ τὴν πρὸς τὸν ἄνϑρωπον τοῦ ϑεοῦ στοργὴν ⟨καταργεῖ⟩ καὶ καταπιεζόμενος ὑπὸ τῶν ayiov τούτοις ἀνταγωνίζεταν καὶ προχατασχευάζεν πολέμους καὶ προλαμβάνων ἀπαγγέλλει τοῖς ἰδίοις.

### English translation (Claude)

Do not be surprised that they give oracles and deceive. For the devil, having fallen from the beginning from his glorious rank, by his own wickedness ⟨sets at nought⟩ God's love for humanity; and, hard pressed by the saints, he fights against them, prepares wars in advance, and, anticipating them, announces them to his own.

### Translation notes

- “Sets at nought” (καταργεῖ) is Gebhardt's supplement; others conjectured “takes away” or “wars against.”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 17 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/17).

## 18

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-18
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The devil foretells the harm he plans to do.

### Greek text

ὁμοίως καὶ ἐκ τῶν καϑ' ἡμέραν ἡμῖν συμβαινόντων, ἀρχαιότερος ὧν τοῦ χρόνου, ἀποπειράσας τὰ συμβησόμενα προλέγει, ἅπερ αὐτὸς μέλλει κακοποιεῖν.

### English translation (Claude)

Likewise, from the things that happen to us day by day, being older than time, he makes trial and foretells what will happen—the very evils he himself means to do.

### Translation notes

- “Older than time”: the edition's text follows a correction of the manuscript's “older in time.”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 18 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/18).

## 19

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-19
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The devil tempts humanity by God's permission.

### Greek text

ἔχει γὰρ ἐκ τῆς ἀποφάσεως τοῦ ϑεοῦ τὴν ἀδικίαν (xai) τὸ εἰδέναι, καὶ κατὰ συγχώρησιν ϑεοῦ πειράζει τὸν ἄνθρωπον, ζητῶν πλανῆσαι τῆς εὐσεβείας.

### English translation (Claude)

For by God's sentence he possesses injustice ⟨and⟩ knowledge, and by God's permission he tempts humanity, seeking to lead it away from godliness.

### Translation notes

- “And” is the editor's supplement (Harnack).

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 19 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/19).

## 20

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-20
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Carpus urges the proconsul to see his error.

### Greek text

πείσϑητι οὖν μοι, ὑπατικέ, ὅτι ἐν ματαιότητί ἐστε οὐ μιχρᾷ.

### English translation (Claude)

So be persuaded by me, consular, that you are in no small vanity.”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 20 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/20).

## 21

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-21
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The proconsul cuts Carpus short and demands sacrifice.

### Greek text

Ὁ ἀνϑύπατος εἶπεν. Πολλὰ ἐάσας σε φλυαρῆσαι εἰς βλασφημίαν ἤγαγόν (de) τῶν ϑεῶν καὶ τῶν Σεβαστῶν" ἵνα οὖν μὴ ἐπὶ πλεῖόν cos προχωρήση, ϑύεις; ῃ τί λέγεις;

### English translation (Claude)

The proconsul said, “By letting you babble on at length I have brought ⟨you⟩ into blasphemy against the gods and the Augusti. So that it may go no further with you: will you sacrifice? Or what do you say?”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 21 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/21).

## 22

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-22
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Carpus refuses again.

### Greek text

Κάρπος εἶπεν ᾿Αδύνατον ὅτι ϑύω, οὗ γὰρ πώποτε ἔϑυσα εἰδώλοις.

### English translation (Claude)

Carpus said, “It is impossible for me to sacrifice; for I have never sacrificed to idols.”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 22 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/22).

## 23

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-23
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Carpus is tortured and confesses until he can no longer speak.

### Greek text

εὐθὺς οὖν ἐκέλευσεν αὐτὸν κρεμασϑέντα ξέεσϑαι. ὁ δὲ ἔκραζενʼ Χριστιανός εἶμι. ἐπὶ πολὺ δὲ ξεόμενος ἔκαμνεν καὶ οὐχέει ἴσχυσεν λαλῆσαι.

### English translation (Claude)

At once he ordered him to be hung up and scraped. And he kept crying out, “I am a Christian.” After being scraped for a long time he grew exhausted and could no longer speak.

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 23 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/23).

## 24

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-24
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The proconsul questions Papylus.

### Greek text

Καὶ ἐάσας τὸν Κάρπον ὁ ἀνϑύπατος ἐπὶ τὸν Παπύλον ἐτρέπετο, λέγων αὐτῷ" Βουλευτὴς εἶ;

### English translation (Claude)

Leaving Carpus, the proconsul turned to Papylus, saying to him, “Are you a councillor?”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 24 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/24).

## 25

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-25
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Papylus says he is a citizen.

### Greek text

ὁ δὲ λέγει· Πολίτης εἰμί.

### English translation (Claude)

He said, “I am a citizen.”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 25 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/25).

## 26

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-26
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The proconsul asks his city.

### Greek text

ὁ ἀνθύπατος εἶπεν. Τίνων πολίτης;

### English translation (Claude)

The proconsul said, “A citizen of where?”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 26 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/26).

## 27

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-27
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Papylus is from Thyatira.

### Greek text

Παπύλος εἶπεν" Θυατείρων"

### English translation (Claude)

Papylus said, “Of Thyatira.”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 27 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/27).

## 28

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-28
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The proconsul asks about children.

### Greek text

ὁ ἀνθύπατος εἶπεν" Τέχνα ἔχεις;

### English translation (Claude)

The proconsul said, “Do you have children?”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 28 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/28).

## 29

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-29
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Papylus claims many children through God.

### Greek text

Παπύλος εἶπεν Καὶ πολλὰ διὰ τὸν ϑεόν.

### English translation (Claude)

Papylus said, “Yes, many, through God.”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 29 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/29).

## 30

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-30
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: A bystander explains that he means spiritual children.

### Greek text

εἷς δέ τις τῶν ἐκ τοῦ δήμου ἐβόησεν λέγων: Κατὰ τὴν πίστιν αὐτοῦ τῶν Χριστιανῶν λέγει τέχνα ἔχειν.

### English translation (Claude)

One of the crowd shouted, “He means he has children by the faith of the Christians.”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 30 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/30).

## 31

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-31
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The proconsul accuses Papylus of lying.

### Greek text

ὁ ἀνθύπατος εἶπεν· Διὰ τί ψεύδη λέγων τὰ τέχνα ἔχειν;

### English translation (Claude)

The proconsul said, “Why do you lie, saying that you have children?”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 31 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/31).

## 32

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-32
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Papylus has children in God in every province.

### Greek text

Παπύλος εἶπεν Θέλεις μαϑεῖν ὅτε οὐ ψεύδομαι ἀλλ ἀληϑῆ λέγω; ἐν πάση ἐπαρχίᾳ καὶ πόλει εἰσίν μου τέχνα κατὰ ϑεόν.

### English translation (Claude)

Papylus said, “Do you want to learn that I am not lying but telling the truth? In every province and city I have children according to God.”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 32 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/32).

## 33

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-33
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The proconsul demands sacrifice from Papylus.

### Greek text

ἀνθύπατος εἶπεν Θύεις: ἢ τί λέγεις;

### English translation (Claude)

The proconsul said, “Will you sacrifice? Or what do you say?”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 33 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/33).

## 34

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-34
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Papylus confesses that he is a Christian.

### Greek text

Παπύλος εἶπενʼ ᾿“πὸ νεότητος ϑεῷ δουλεύω καὶ οὐδέποτε εἰδώλοις ἔϑυσα, ἀλλ᾽ εἰμὶ Χριστιανός, καὶ πλέον τούτου παρ᾽ ἐμοῦ ἀκοῦσαι οὐκ ἔχεις" οὐδὲ γὰρ μεῖζον τούτου ἢ κάλλιόν ἐστίν τι εἰπεῖν με.

### English translation (Claude)

Papylus said, “From my youth I have served God and have never sacrificed to idols; I am a Christian, and you can hear nothing more than this from me; for there is nothing greater or finer for me to say than this.”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 34 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/34).

## 35

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-35
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Papylus endures torture in silence.

### Greek text

Ἀνακρεμασϑεὶς δὲ καὶ οὗτος xai ξεόμενος ζυγὰς τρεῖς ἤλλαξεν καὶ φωνὴν οὐκ ἔδωκεν, ἀλλ᾽ ὡς γενναῖος ἀϑλητὴς ἀπεδέχετο τὸν ϑυμὸν τοῦ ἀντιχειμένου.

### English translation (Claude)

He too was hung up and scraped; he wore out three teams of torturers and uttered no sound, but like a noble athlete he took the rage of the adversary.

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 35 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/35).

## 36

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-36
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Both are sentenced to be burned alive.

### Greek text

ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ ἀνθύπατος τὴν ὑπερβάλλουσαν αὐτῶν ὑπομονὴν κελεύει αὐτοὺς ζῶντας καῆναι. καὶ κατερχόμενοι ἔσπευδον οἱ ἀμφότεροι ἐπὶ τὸ ἀμφιϑέατρον, ὅπως ταχέως ἀπαλλαγῶσιν τοῦ κόσμου.

### English translation (Claude)

When the proconsul saw their surpassing endurance, he ordered them to be burned alive. And both went down in haste to the amphitheater, so as to be quickly set free from the world.

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 36 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/36).

## 37

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-37
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Papylus dies praying in the fire.

### Greek text

χαὶ πρῶτος ὁ Παπύλος προσηλωϑεὶς εἰς τὸ ξύλον ἀνωρϑώϑη, καὶ προσενεχϑέντος τοῦ πυρὸς ἐν ἡσυχέᾳ προσευξάμενος παρέδωκεν τὴν ψυχήν.

### English translation (Claude)

Papylus was nailed to the stake first and raised upright; and when the fire was brought, he prayed quietly and gave up his soul.

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 37 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/37).

## 38

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-38
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Carpus smiles on the stake.

### Greek text

χαὶ μετὰ τοῦτον προσηλωϑεὶς ὁ Κάρπος προσεμειδίασεν. oí δὲ παρεστῶτες ἐχπλησσόμενοι ἔλεγον αὐτῷ: Τί ἐστιν ὅτι ἐγέλασας;

### English translation (Claude)

After him Carpus was nailed, and he smiled. The bystanders, astonished, said to him, “What made you laugh?”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 38 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/38).

## 39

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-39
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Carpus says he has seen the Lord's glory.

### Greek text

ὁ δὲ μακάριος εἶπεν Εἶδον τὴν δόξαν κυρίου καὶ ἐχάρην, ἅμα δὲ καὶ ὑμῶν ἀπηλλάγην καὶ οὐχ εἰμὶ μέτοχος τῶν ὑμετέρων κακῶν.

### English translation (Claude)

The blessed man said, “I saw the glory of the Lord and rejoiced; and at the same time I am rid of you and have no share in your evils.”

### Scripture references

- Acts 7:55: echo, medium confidence
- John 8:56: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- Cf. Acts 7:55; John 8:56 (Gebhardt's margin).

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 39 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/39).

## 40

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-40
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Carpus speaks of the true judgment seat.

### Greek text

ὡς δὲ ὁ στρατιώτης τὰ ξύλα ἐπιτιϑεὶς ὑφῆπτεν, ὁ ἅγιος Κάρπος χρεμώμενος εἶπενʼ Καὶ ἡμεῖς τῆς αὐτῆς μητρὸς ἐγεννήϑήμεν Εὔας καὶ τὴν αὐτὴν σάρκα ἔχομεν, ἀλλ᾽ ἀφορῶντες εἷς τὸ δικαστήριον τὸ ἀληϑινὸν πάντα ὑπομένομεν.

### English translation (Claude)

As the soldier was piling on the wood and setting it alight, the holy Carpus, hanging there, said, “We too were born of the same mother, Eve, and have the same flesh; but looking to the true judgment seat we endure everything.”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 40 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/40).

## 41

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-41
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Carpus dies with a prayer of thanks.

### Greek text

ταῦτα εἰπὼν καὶ προσφερομένου τοῦ πυρὸς προσηύξατο. λέγων" Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, υἱὲ τοῦ ϑεοῦ, ὅτι κατηξίωσας καὶ ἐμὲ τὸν ἁμαρτωλὸν ταύτης σου τῆς μερίδος. καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἀπέδωκεν τὴν ψυχήν.

### English translation (Claude)

When he had said this and the fire was brought near, he prayed, saying, “Blessed are you, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, because you have counted me too, a sinner, worthy of this share in you.” And when he had said this he gave up his soul.

### Scripture references

- John 13:8: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- “This share in you”: literally “this portion of yours”; cf. John 13:8.

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 41 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/41).

## 42

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-42
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Agathonice sees the call and resolves to share the martyrs' feast.

### Greek text

Ἀγαϑονίκη δέ τις ἑστῶσα καὶ ἰδοῦσα τὴν δόξαν τοῦ κυρίου ἣν ἔφη ὁ Κάρπος ἑωρακέναι, καὶ γνοῦσα τὴν κλῆσιν εἶναι οὐράνιον, εὐθέως ἐπῇρεν τὴν φωνήνʼ Τὸ ἄριστον τοῦτο ἐμοὶ ἡτοίμασται, δεῖ οὖν με μεταλαβοῦσαν φαγεῖν τοῦ ἐνδόξου ἀρίστου.

### English translation (Claude)

A certain Agathonice, standing by and seeing the glory of the Lord which Carpus said he had seen, and recognizing that the call was heavenly, at once raised her voice: “This meal has been prepared for me; I must therefore take my part and eat of the glorious meal.”

### Scripture references

- Matt 22:4: echo, medium confidence
- Luke 14:15: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- Cf. Matt 22:4; Luke 14:15 (Gebhardt's margin).

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 42 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/42).

## 43

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-43
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The crowd appeals to her as a mother.

### Greek text

ὁ δὲ δῆμος ἐβόα λέγων: ᾿Ελέησόν σου τὸν υἱόν.

### English translation (Claude)

The crowd shouted, “Have pity on your son!”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 43 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/43).

## 44

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-44
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Agathonice entrusts her son to God and goes to the stake.

### Greek text

εἶπεν δὲ ἡ μακαρία ᾿Αγαϑονίκη. Θεὸν ἔχει τὸν δυνάμενον αὐτὸν ἐλεῆσαι, ὅτε αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ πάντων προνοητής᾽ ἐγὼ δὲ ἐφʼ ὃ πάρειμι; καὶ ἀποδυσαμένη τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτῆς ἀγαλλιωμένη ἐφήπλωσεν ἑαυτὴν ἐπὶ τὸ ξύλον.

### English translation (Claude)

The blessed Agathonice said, “He has God, who is able to have pity on him, since he is the provider of all. But I—why am I here?” And taking off her garments, rejoicing, she stretched herself out on the stake.

### Translation notes

- “Why am I here?” (ἐφ᾽ ὃ πάρειμι, corrected by Harnack from ἐφ᾽ ᾧ) may also be read “I will do what I came for.” Whether she was condemned or offered herself is not stated in this recension; in the Latin recension she is sentenced.

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 44 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/44).

## 45

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-45
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The onlookers lament the injustice.

### Greek text

οἱ δὲ ἰδόντες ἐθρήνησαν λέγοντες" Δεινὴ κρίσις καὶ ἄδικα προστάγματα.

### English translation (Claude)

Those who saw it lamented, saying, “A terrible judgment, and unjust decrees!”

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 45 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/45).

## 46

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-46
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Agathonice's last cry.

### Greek text

ἀνορϑωϑεῖσα δὲ καὶ τοῦ πυρὸς ἅψαμένη ἕως τρὶς ἐβόησεν: Κύριε, κύριε, κύριε, βοήϑει μοι, πρὸς σὲ γὰρ κατέφυγα.

### English translation (Claude)

Raised upright, as the fire took hold of her, she cried out three times: “Lord, Lord, Lord, help me, for I have fled to you for refuge.”

### Scripture references

- Ps 143:9 (142:9 LXX): echo, low confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 46 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/46).

## 47

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/0/#p-47
- Source: Gebhardt, 13
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Agathonice dies; the Christians secretly keep the remains.

### Greek text

καὶ οὕτως ἀπέδωκεν τὸ πνεῦμα καὶ ἐτελειώϑη σὺν τοῖς ἁγίοις. ὧν τὰ λείψανα λαϑραίως οἱ Χριστιανοὶ ἀνειλάμενοι διεφύλαξαν εἰς δόξαν Χριστοῦ καὶ ἔπαινον τῶν μαρτύρων αὐτοῦ ὅτι αὐτῷ πρέπειν ἡ δόξα καὶ τὸ χράτος, τῷ πατρὶ καὶ τῷ υἱῷ καὶ τῷ ἁγίῳ πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων, ἀμήν.

### English translation (Claude)

And so she gave up her spirit and was perfected with the saints. Their remains the Christians took up secretly and guarded, to the glory of Christ and the praise of his martyrs; for to him belong the glory and the might, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and to the ages of ages. Amen.

### Translation notes

- Gebhardt reports that Harnack enclosed the closing words “Their remains … Amen” in brackets as a later addition.

### Citation (SBL)

Act. 47 (Gebhardt, 13; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/acta-carpi-papyli-agathonices/47).