QUADRATUS

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Quadratus was an early apologist who answered questions about Christianity to Emperor Hadrian. Unfortunately, the majority of this letter has been lost over time, but there was a fragment saved from a quotation by Eusebius, another Christian historian. This letter affirms the persecution of Christians, as well as the miracles Jesus performed on earth.

 

In “Illustrious Men,” fourth-century Church Father Jerome wrote, “Quadratus, disciple of the apostles, after Publius bishop of Athens had been crowned with martyrdom on account of his faith in Christ, was substituted in his place, and by his faith and industry gathered the church scattered by reason of its great fear… those who hated the Christians took opportunity without instructions from the Emperor [Hadrian] to harass the believers. At this time he [Quadratus] presented to Hadrian a work composed in behalf of our religion, indispensable, full of sound argument and faith and worthy of the apostolic teaching.

 

In his book “Ecclesiastical History,” Eusebius wrote, “Quadratus addressed a discourse containing an apology for our religion, because certain wicked men had attempted to trouble the Christians.” Eusebius confirmed that Christians were being treated poorly for their beliefs, and that Quadratus was ready to defend Christianity. 

 

Eusebius also included this quote by Quadratus in his book: “But the works of our Saviour were always before you, for they were true miracles; those that were healed, those that were raised from the dead, who were seen, not only when healed and when raised, but were always present. They remained living a long time, not only whilst our Lord was on earth, but likewise when he had left the earth. So that some of them have also lived to our own times.” 

 

This quote identifies Jesus as a man that performed many miracles, like healing people and raising them from the dead. It also testifies that these miracles were done publicly, and, therefore, eyewitnesses could confirm these miracles.