We in the modern day are familiar with the term “conscientious objector,” but for the early Church, particularly before the Edict of Milan, the idea of refusing to serve in the military or take up arms was believed to be contradictory to the Gospel. In later centuries, the Church did moderate its position to permit such things as self-defense and what became known as the “just war” theory, but at the time of Saint Maximilian, whose feast we celebrate on March 12, it was not uncommon for committed Christians to refuse to serve in the military, particularly the Roman army. Part of this arose from a strong belief that pacifism was inherent in the Gospel; another objection centered around the fact that soldiers were, by the very nature of their jobs, associated with pagan gods and sacrifices.

The Roman army was largely a volunteer force when Maximilian’s story took place (in the year 295 A.D.) but sons of veterans were obliged to serve. Maximilian’s father, Fabius Victor, had fought for Rome but had subsequently become a Christian. However, despite that, when his son Maximilian reached the age of 21, he was presented for conscription. It was said that the recruiter was pleased to have such a fine young man join the military and even went so far as to have him measured. We know from the records that Maximilian was 5’ 10” tall.

That was as far as Maximilian ever got to being a part of the Roman army. We have preserved for us a nearly unembellished account of what ensued after that, which is included here:

When questioned by the proconsul Dion as to why he was refusing to serve, Maximilian replied, “I cannot serve. I cannot do evil. I am a Christian.”

The proconsul was very direct in telling the young man the consequences of his choice. “You must serve or die,” Dion said.

But Maximilian was equally firm in his response. “I will never serve,” he said. “You can cut off my head, but I will not be a soldier of this world, for I am a soldier of Christ. My army is the army of God and I cannot fight for this world. I tell you I am a Christian.”

But the proconsul was not about to give up that easily. He reminded Maximilian that “there are Christian soldiers serving our rulers Diocletian and Maximian, Constantius and Galerius.”

Maximilian refused to be dissuaded. “That is their business. I am also a Christian and I cannot serve.”

The proconsul continued. “But what harm do soldiers do?” he asked.

Maximilian was succinct. “You know well enough.”

Seeing that the young man was not going to be moved, the proconsul condemned him to death “for contempt of the army.” Maximilian was martyred in the year 295 near a place called Tebessa in Numidia. We are told that Fabius Victor went home joyfully, thanking God for having allowed him to send such a great gift as Maximilian to heaven.