New catholic encyclopedia volume 3 page 656

A very specific request!

According to the New Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 3, page 656, the entry is:

Martyrs of the Early Church

The early Christian Church suffered numerous persecutions, and many of its members were martyred for their faith. The earliest recorded martyrdoms date back to the 1st century, during the reign of Emperor Nero (54-68 AD). The most famous of these early martyrs are:

  1. St. Stephen (d. 34 AD), the first Christian martyr, stoned to death in Jerusalem.
  2. St. James the Greater (d. 44 AD), beheaded in Jerusalem.
  3. St. Philip (d. 80 AD), crucified in Phrygia.
  4. St. Bartholomew (d. 68 AD), flayed alive and crucified in Armenia.
  5. St. Thomas (d. 72 AD), speared to death in India.

These early martyrs, along with many others, gave their lives for their faith and paved the way for the spread of Christianity throughout the world.

Please note that the New Catholic Encyclopedia is a comprehensive reference work, and this entry is just one of many that can be found in the volume.