Commemoration of Blandina and Her Companions, Martyrs.
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| Blandina, a slave, was a leader of the martyrs who, along with their aged bishop, suffered martyrdom at Lyons in the south of France in 177 during the reign of Marcus Aurelius. With Blandina and her bishop were her mistress, a fifteen-year old boy, Sanctus a deacon, and a “man of repute,” Attalus. The diverse collection of martyrs made a united witness, and they are remembered because of a letter written by survivors of the persecution that describes the evil of which ordinary people are capable when incited to mob violence and records the triumph of steadfast and heroic faith when confronted by such evil. |