Hieromartyr Pothinus, Bishop of Lyons

Life

Sent from Asia Minor by Saint Polycarp to Gaul to preach. He became the first Bishop of Lyons and converted many pagans to Christianity. During the persecution of Christians in the year 177, Pothinus was also brought to trial — rather, carried in on the arms of others, for he was ninety years old. "Who is the God of the Christians?" the proconsul asked him. "You will learn, if you are deemed worthy of it," the elder Pothinus answered him. The pagans fell upon him with rods and stones and beat him without mercy. Cast into prison, Saint Pothinus died from his wounds after two days, and departed to the heavenly Kingdom.