Christians Forbidden
Blandina and the Martyrs of Lyon: “Get away from here!” shouted the disheveled shopkeeper, viciously shoving the young mother against the wooden barricade. “You are not permitted in my store! None of you are allowed in the marketplace!” The frightened young woman wrapped her tunic tightly around her waist, grabbed her two children by the hand and stumbled away as quickly as she could in a wild effort to escape. “No Christians allowed!” screamed the foreboding signs on the public bath, the government buildings, and the city amphitheater. “Christians forbidden!” announced the bright red banner hanging above the open marketplace. The Roman authorities, determined to put an end to the growing faith, banned Christians from all public places in the city. Any believer caught in the streets could be beaten or robbed with no recourse in court. Soon, Christian homes were vandalised, and mocking crowds carried away favourite possessions.
The scene is eerily similar to the Nazi treatment of Jewish citizens in Germany and Poland in the late 1930s just before the beginning of World War II. It is similar because the same diabolical enemy was at work twisting people’s minds, unleashing a spirit of hatred and violence; and, in both cases, Satan did everything in his power to try to destroy God’s plan for the church and for Israel.
Accusations of Cannibalism and Incest
This year of persecution was AD 177, under the reign of Marcus Aurelius. The location was Lugdunum, Gaul (modern-day Lyon), a beautiful city on the Rhone River in southeastern France. As the city prospered under Roman reign, the church of Jesus Christ grew as well. In retaliation, the fury of Satan swept through the city of Lyon and eventually the entire empire. “The Christians are practicing cannibalism and incest in our cities!” The false rumour circulated like wildfire through the cities of Lyon and nearby Viennes. What could possibly be the reason for such a ridiculous accusation? Christians were known for sharing communion “eating the body and drinking the blood of Jesus Christ” during their worship meetings; and, married couples still addressed one another as “brother and sister,” while all Christians greeted one another with a “holy kiss.”
These practices were twisted into a demonic lie. The pagans were enraged because they believed the behaviour of the Christians was violating the “piety” of the Roman gods! Of course, Satan was the author of it all. As the Father of Lies (see John 8:44) and the accuser of the brethren (see Revelation 12:10), he incited the crowd against the Christians of Lyon. With vile cunning, he goaded the people into an uncontrollable frenzy until they were satisfied with nothing but the cruelest torture and execution of the Christian “atheists.”
In August of AD 177, a large public festival was held in Lyon to celebrate the union of Gaul and Rome. Citizens dressed in the costumes of their favourite deities, and there was dancing and revelry. Daily they celebrated in the Amphitheater of the Three Gauls with sacrifices to the gods, gladiator combat, and wild animal games. But during the intoxicating stupor of celebration, there was an uproar in the amphitheater. A cry arose from the crowd: “The Christians have refused to join in the celebration! They dishonour the gods with their superstitious worship of Jesus the Nazarene. They must be brought to trial in the arena!”
To Be Continued…
Date: 27th January 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 075
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