The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee celebrated the feast day of St. Justin, a martyr and Father of the Church, Wednesday, referring to him as one of the greatest apologists of the Church.

“St. Justin was an avid lover of the truth and one of the greatest apologists in the early church,” the diocese posted online. “He was sentenced to death under the persecution of Marcus Aurelius in 165 A.D.” 

St. Justin, sometimes referred to as St. Justin Martyr, was born around the year 100 in Palestine. Britannica says Justin grew up in a Jewish environment as a pagan, studying pagan philosophies before becoming a Christian in his early 30s. He then began to travel and preach about Christianity. In 165, Roman authorities declared that Justin was subversive and sentenced him to death. He was beheaded in Rome. 

St. Justin is remembered as the patron saint of philosophers, apologists and lecturers, according to SaintJustin.org. He wrote extensively in defense of the Christian faith, and although much of writing has not survived, his works that did survive are considered some of the most important from the second century. 

He is considered a Father of the Church, which is an official title bestowed on leaders of the early Church, according to Catholic Answers. Many of the men who are recognized as Church Fathers were bishops, although some were priests, deacons or laymen. In addition to Justin Martyr, notable Fathers of the Church include Sts. Ignatius, Ambrose, Augustine and Pope Leo the Great. 

“We are slain with the sword, but we increase and multiply; the more we are persecuted and destroyed, the more are deaf to our numbers,” is a quote attributed to Justin, the diocese said.

On his feast day, celebrated every June 1, the diocese implored: “St. Justin, please pray for us!”