Today the Church remembers the martyrs of Lyons. Lesser Feasts and Fasts tells us that in the second century, after a brief respite, Christians in many parts of the Roman Empire were once again subjected to persecution. At Lyons and Vienne, in Gaul, there were missionary centers which had drawn many Christians from Asia and Greece. They were living a devout life under the guidance of Pothinus, elderly Bishop of Lyons, when persecution began in 177.
At first, the Christians were socially excluded from Roman homes, the public baths, and the market place. Then insults, stones and blows came. Next, Christian homes were vandalized. Then the questioning began followed by imprisonment.
Some slaves from Christian households were tortured to extract public accusations that Christians practiced cannibalism, incest and other perversions. These false accusations were used to rouse the public so that everyone would turn against the Christians.
The fury of the mob fell most heavily on Sanctus, a deacon, Attalus Maturus, a recent convert, and Blandina, a slave. Blandina stood her ground announcing, “I am a Christian and nothing vile is done among us.” Sanctus was tortured with hot irons. Bishop Pothinus was badly beaten and died. The Roman governor decided to set aside several days to make a public spectacle of the Christians. On the last day, Blandina, burned with irons, was wrapped in a net and tossed about by a wild bull.
The collect of the day:
Grant, O Lord, that we who keep the feast of the holy martyrs Blandina and her companions may be rooted and grounded in love of you, and may endure the sufferings of this life for the glory that shall be revealed in us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially Betty Head and her family, Cotele Singleton and Tammie Taylor.
CALENDAR REMINDERS:
At first, the Christians were socially excluded from Roman homes, the public baths, and the market place. Then insults, stones and blows came. Next, Christian homes were vandalized. Then the questioning began followed by imprisonment.
Some slaves from Christian households were tortured to extract public accusations that Christians practiced cannibalism, incest and other perversions. These false accusations were used to rouse the public so that everyone would turn against the Christians.
The fury of the mob fell most heavily on Sanctus, a deacon, Attalus Maturus, a recent convert, and Blandina, a slave. Blandina stood her ground announcing, “I am a Christian and nothing vile is done among us.” Sanctus was tortured with hot irons. Bishop Pothinus was badly beaten and died. The Roman governor decided to set aside several days to make a public spectacle of the Christians. On the last day, Blandina, burned with irons, was wrapped in a net and tossed about by a wild bull.
The collect of the day:
Grant, O Lord, that we who keep the feast of the holy martyrs Blandina and her companions may be rooted and grounded in love of you, and may endure the sufferings of this life for the glory that shall be revealed in us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially Betty Head and her family, Cotele Singleton and Tammie Taylor.
CALENDAR REMINDERS:
12 June: Gospel by the Sea.
11:00 a.m. every Sunday in the nave, Adult Christian Formation: Heaven and Hell: Angels With Harps, Demons With Pitchforks? Or Maybe Something Else?
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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