Today is the Option Memorial for the First Holy Martyrs.
When more than half of Rome burnt to the ground in 64 AD, Emperor Nero blamed the tragedy on the Christians. The Christians were viewed with suspicion not only by Nero, but by much of the Roman population. The false rumors of human sacrifice and other strange rituals did not help the new religion’s image. Although many Roman citizens believed that Nero started the fire to give him room to expand his palace, Christians were an easy scapegoat. A large number of Christians were tortured and put to death. Peter and Paul may have been among the victims. St. Clement, Bishop of Rome, and Tacitus, a contemporary historian, referred to this event in their writings.