Justinus ble født i Flavia Neapolis i palestinsk Syria omkring (etter) år 100 i en hedensk (ikke-jødisk) familie. Han ble omvendt til kristendommen omkring 130.
Han forsvarte den kristne tro i Lilleasia og i Roma, hvor han til slutt led martyddøden omkring 165 sammen med seks trosfeller: Chariton, Charito, Evelpostos, Pæon, Hierax og Liberianos.
Den autentiske beretningen om martyriet finnes fremdeles. Forhøret avsluttes slik (fra http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08580c.htm):
The Prefect Rusticus says: Approach and sacrifice, all of you, to the gods.
Justin says: No one in his right mind gives up piety for impiety.
The Prefect Rusticus says: If you do not obey, you will be tortured without mercy.
Justin replies: That is our desire, to be tortured for Our Lord, Jesus Christ, and so to be saved, for that will give us salvation and firm confidence at the more terrible universal tribunal of Our Lord and Saviour.
And all the martyrs said: Do as you wish; for we are Christians, and we do not sacrifice to idols.
The Prefect Rusticus read the sentence: Those who do not wish to sacrifice to the gods and to obey the emperor will be scourged and beheaded according to the laws. The holy martyrs glorifying God betook themselves to the customary place, where they were beheaded and consummated their martyrdom confessing their Saviour.
("Acta SS.", April, II, 104-19; Otto, "Corpus Apologetarum", III, Jena, 1879, 266-78; P.G., VI, 1565-72)
(etter http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08580c.htm)
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08580c.htm
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08580c.htm
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