The Arrest of Bishop Pothinus
The first person arrested and imprisoned was the elderly Bishop Pothinus, who had steadfastly served the body of Christ in Lyon for decades. However, neither age nor frailty was pitied; the elderly Pothinus was delivered in chains to the governor while the raucous crowd shouted insults from the arena: The blessed Pothinus, who had been entrusted [as bishop] of Lyon, was dragged to the judgment seat. He was more than ninety years of age, and very infirm, scarcely indeed able to breathe because of physical weakness; but he was strengthened by spiritual zeal…. Though his body was worn out by old age and disease, his life was preserved that Christ might triumph in it….
Those near him [in the arena] struck him with their hands and feet, regardless of his age; and those at a distance hurled at him whatever they could seize; all of them thinking that they would be guilty of great wickedness and impiety if any possible abuse were omitted. For thus they thought to avenge their own deities. Scarcely able to breathe, he was cast into prison and died after two days. In the end, it was the Lord’s mercy that Pothinus died in prison and was spared “the fury of the heathen against the saints” that would take place in the amphitheater during the following days. The letter from Lyon contains one of the most graphic martyrdom accounts preserved from the early church. I am including excerpts from the eyewitnesses in their own words. The events are a travesty of justice beyond the understanding of most Western Christians.
Blandina, Fearless Maidservant
After Pothinus’ death, the mob clamored for more of the “atheists” to be brought to the stadium. Roman guards went through the city of Lyon, seizing Christians each day until forty-eight were arrested and brutally dragged before the bloodthirsty crowd. Two servants of the Christians were also apprehended and tortured until they accused the Christians of practicing cannibalism and incest at their weekly meetings. The following is from a letter written by the church in Lyon which Eusebius recorded in his History:
When these accusations were reported, all the people raged like wild beasts against us, so that even if any had before been moderate on account of friendship, they were now exceedingly furious and gnashed their teeth against us. And that which was spoken by our Lord was fulfilled: “The time will come when whosoever kills you will think that he does God service.” [See John 16:2.]… But the whole wrath of the populace, and governor, and soldiers was aroused exceedingly against Sanctus, a deacon from Vienne, Maturus, a recent convert, and Attalus, a native of Pergamos where he was a pillar and foundation, and finally Blandina [a physically handicapped female servant], through whom Christ showed that things which appear mean and obscure and despicable to men are with God of great glory, through love toward him manifested in power, and not boasting in appearance.
For while we all trembled…that on account of the weakness of her body, she would be unable to make bold confession, Blandina was filled with such power as to be delivered and raised above those who were torturing her by turns from morning till evening in every manner, so that they acknowledged that they were conquered, and could do nothing more to her. And they were astonished at her endurance, as her entire body was mangled and broken; and they testified that one of these forms of torture was sufficient to destroy life, not to speak of so many and so great sufferings. But the blessed woman, like a noble athlete, renewed her strength in her confession; and her comfort and recreation and relief from the pain of her sufferings was in exclaiming, “I am a Christian, and there is nothing vile done by us.”
To Be Continued…
Date: 3rd February 2024
Martyr: Blandina and the Martyrs of Lyon
Location: Gaul (modern-day Lyon), southeastern France
Source: God’s Generals – The Martyrs
Author: Roberts Liardon
Suffering Saturday 076
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