Algerius (d. 1557)
Algerius was a martyr known only through the Martyrs' Mirror, which states definitely that he was an Anabaptist. He came from the kingdom of Naples and had as a young student in Padua been admitted to the church through baptism by a brother. Soon thereafter he was thrown into prison; from there he wrote to his brethren a deeply moving letter, joyfully enthusiastic, showing a thorough knowledge o£ Scripture. He endured all torture steadfastly. He was sent to Venice and there every means was employed to persuade him to recant. It was in vain. Now he was brought to Rome and delivered to the Pope, who tried in vain to convert him and then gave him over to a most terrible death in 1557. The letter mentioned above deserves to be made accessible to all. Van Braght characterizes it with these words: "In this letter there is such wisdom, such holiness and dignity that we have read it countless times. Thereby our love to God has been rekindled, as also our zeal not only to live with Christ, but also, if necessity required it, to die for Him and for His truth."
Bibliography
Braght, Thieleman J. van. Het Bloedigh Tooneel of Martelaers Spiegel der Doops-gesinde of Weereloose Christenen, Die om 't getuygenis van Jesus haren Salighmaker geleden hebben ende gedood zijn van Christi tijd of tot desen tijd toe. Den Tweeden Druk. Amsterdam: Hieronymus Sweerts, …, 1685: Part II, 185-190.
Braght, Thieleman J. van. The Bloody Theatre or Martyrs' Mirror of the Defenseless Christians Who Baptized Only upon Confession of Faith and Who Suffered and Died for the Testimony of Jesus Their Saviour . . . to the Year A.D. 1660. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1951: 570-573. Available online at: http://www.homecomers.org/mirror/contents.htm.
Hege, Christian and Christian Neff. Mennonitisches Lexikon, 4 vols. Frankfurt & Weierhof: Hege; Karlsruhe; Schneider, 1913-1967: v. I, 27 ff.
| Author(s) | Christian Neff |
|---|---|
| Date Published | 1955 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Neff, Christian. "Algerius (d. 1557)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1955. Web. 16 Apr 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Algerius_(d._1557)&oldid=90795.
APA style
Neff, Christian. (1955). Algerius (d. 1557). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 16 April 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Algerius_(d._1557)&oldid=90795.
Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, pp. 53-54. All rights reserved.
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