Pothinus and the Martyrs of Lyons

Hieromartyr Pothinus, Bishop of Lyons, with Blandina, Sanctus, Alcibiades, Vettius Epagathus and the other martyrs of Lyons under Marcus Aurelius.

In the year 177 the Christians of Lyons and Vienne in Gaul suffered a savage persecution described in a letter preserved by Eusebius. The aged bishop Pothinus died in prison from his injuries, while the deacon Sanctus, the slave girl Blandina, the young Ponticus, Alcibiades, Vettius Epagathus and many others were tortured and put to death in the amphitheatre.

Blandina in particular became famous for her endurance and her encouragement of the others. The Greek synaxaria commemorate this whole company on 2 June.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Pothinus and the Martyrs of Lyons is commemorated on June 2. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on June 15 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on June 2

• 

  Nikephoros of Constantinople

  Hierarch, Νικηφόρος

  Patriarch of Constantinople, defender of icons.

  Name days: Nikiforos, Nicephorus

• Constantine the New Martyr, former Hagarene

  Martyr, Κωνσταντίνος ο εξ Αγαρηνών

  New Martyr Constantine of Mytilene, a convert from Islam who confessed Christ and was hanged in Constantinople.

• John the New of Trebizond, Great Martyr

  Martyr, Ιωάννης ο Νέος ο Τραπεζούντιος

  Great Martyr John the New of Trebizond, a merchant martyred at Asprokastro (Cetatea Alba) and later enshrined at Suceava.

• Demetrios of Philadelphia, New Martyr

  Martyr, Δημήτριος ο Φιλαδελφεύς

  New Martyr Demetrios of Philadelphia in Asia Minor, beheaded for Christ in the seventeenth century.

• Erasmus of Ochrid

  Hierarch, Έρασμος ο Ιερομάρτυρας

  Hieromartyr Erasmus, bishop and preacher who enlightened the region of Ochrid and suffered under Diocletian.

  Name days: Erasmos, Erasmus

• Marcellinus and Peter of Rome

  Martyr, Μαρκελλίνος και Πέτρος

  Holy Martyrs Marcellinus the priest and Peter the exorcist, beheaded at Rome under Diocletian.