Christianity Oasis Forum

[morningrain]

II Divo - Amazing Grace
Sung by II Divo performing Amazing Grace.

Not sure if any of you have watched their video, it's interesting that 'Divo' chose to perform this song in the ruins of the ancient Roman Colosseum. It took an "Amazing Grace" for so many Christians to endure such horrendous sufferings and persecutions.

There were many different types of executions in the Colosseum. Christian Martyrs were executed as common criminals by crucifixion or (thrown to the wild beasts). The vicious and cruel emperors and Romans delighted in even more novel ways of executing Christian Martyrs. The Emperor Nero introduced twilight executions where hapless Christians were nailed to the cross and burned alive as torches to light the arena of the Colosseum.

The first of the Christian Martyrs at the Colosseum was believed to be Saint Ignatius. Ignatius was the Bishop of Antioch. In 107 AD the Emperor Trajan came to Antioch and forced the Christians to choose between the Pagan Roman gods and death. Ignatius refused and the emperor condemned him to death by being torn to pieces by wild beasts at Rome. Ignatius travelled to Rome, guarded by soldiers, and showed no fear of being devoured by lions in the Roman Colosseum. The wild beasts left nothing of his body, except a few bones. (his spirit took the wings of a dove and sailed to the utmost highest place of refuge), The bones were secretly retrieved from the Colosseum and returned Antioch, until their removal to the Church of St. Clement at Rome, in 637.