1. This article is not a historical account, but an attempt at a formal definition of the persecution of Christians in its various aspects.

2. The first case of such a persecution, historically and typically, is the life of Christ himself. It is typical because the characteristic elements of a real persecution of Christians could never change thereafter, although of course the external circumstances have changed considerably in the course of history, so much so in fact that persecutions of Christians have taken place in the name of Christ himself.

The persecution and execution of Chr…