This innocent-looking spot was the site of grisly tortures of Christians.

THE PLACE: Lyons, in modern-day France, in the mid-second century. A group of terrified slaves, staring at instruments of torture, with the threats of authorities ringing in their ears, knew there was only one way to escape—lying about their Christian masters.  They accused the Christians of incest and of eating human flesh. Outraged, a local magistrate arrested forty-eight Christians and held them for the arrival of the governor. 

Christianity had come to Lyons about a quarter of a century earlier, in the early 100s. Pothinus, a Greek, established small churches in Lyons and nearby Viennes. However, the growth of Christianity was slowed by resistance and prejudice. 

Now the Christians were confined to the darkest and nastiest part of the prison. The air was so bad some suffocated. Pothinus, now ninety-two years old, died after torture. His cell was only the size of a standard kitchen dishwasher. 

The governor of Gaul arrived, determined to make an example of the remaining Christians. Some have suggested that he was happy to do so because he was expected to show his patriotism by sponsoring entertainment for the city. It was expensive to hire gladiators, boxers and wrestlers. It would be a lot cheaper to torture Christians for entertainment. 

On this day, 1 August 177* the Christians of Lyons were brought before a mob in the amphitheater. Most of them boldly confessed their allegiance to Christ. Even those who weakened at first soon regained heart and asserted their faith. 

The torturers placed some Christians in stocks; others they seated on a red hot-iron grill. After torture, they took several to the amphitheater for beasts to devour as the crowd watched. Among those was a defiant slave girl, Blandina, whom they suspended on a stake and exposed to the wild beasts. Because she appeared to be hanging on a cross like Christ, she inspired the others. 

In her agony, Blandina cried out, “I am a Christian and there is nothing vile done by us.” She died comparing her death to marriage as she went to Christ her bridegroom. The crowd had to admit they had never seen any other woman endure such terrible tortures. 

Just as strong-hearted as Blandina was Sanctus, a deacon from Vienne. Even when red hot plates were fastened to the most tender parts of his body, he did not shrink from confessing Christ. Looking on, the other victims saw that “nothing is fearful where the love of the Father is, and nothing is painful where there is the glory of Christ.” 

The tormentors exposed the Christians’ bodies for six days and then burned them and threw the ashes into the Rhone river. Those who suffocated in prison they fed to dogs, and guards stopped other Christians from burying them. By doing this, the pagans hoped to destroy their hope of resurrection.

* Our only firm source for this story is a letter quoted in Eusebius long after the events. Scholars have suggested the facts fit better with the third century. It is not clear on which holiday or festival this event occurred.