Martyrs of Lyon († 177)

Biography

C., among whom the bishop Potino and the slave Blandina stand out.

In Roman Gaul, under Emperor Marcus Aurelius, they were murdered in the city of Lugdunum—now Lyon, France—during an annual Roman festival. They were people from different social classes, from the elderly Bishop Pothinus, 90 years old, to young people and slaves.

Bishop Pothinus was beaten and imprisoned, and died a few days later due to his advanced age. Roman citizens were beheaded. The other Christians were handed over to the wild beasts in the amphitheater before a crowd. Saint Blandina, a young slave, withstood multiple torments and encouraged her companions before being killed by a bull and the executioner's sword.

We know these facts thanks to a letter that the local community sent to other churches and which was preserved by Eusebius of Caesarea.