Saint Pothinus, Martyr
by VP
Posted on Monday June 02, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
Saint Pothin ; Vitraux de Lucien Bégule (1901), Église Saint-Irénée.
"ARDOUR FOR MARTYRDOM. - St. Pothinus had founded at Lyons one of the first churches in the whole of Gaul; the body of Christians was already numerous and making great progress, when the pagan priests, alarmed for their gods, excited a tumult among the people. Pothinus was then more than ninety years old, and had almost lost the use of his limbs; but in order to proceed to the presence of the judge, he suddenly summoned up strength. The blasphemies of the thronging multitude accompanied his steps. "What is this God of the Christians?" asked one. "You will know Him, if worthy of it," replied the old man. At this firm and bold answer, the anger of the people knew no bounds. Pothinus was loaded with blows, and beaten down with the missiles hurled at him; he was, however, snatched from their violence, and taken to prison, where, after two days, he expired. This happened in the year 177. Forty-seven other martyrs, who had been arrested at the same time, underwent various tortures. Cemented thus with the blood of its founders, the Church of Gaul became indestructible.
MORAL REFLECTION. Even thus did the Apostles rejoice "that they were accounted worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus." (Acts v. 41.)" Pictorial Half Hours with the Saints, Abbe Lecanu
