Martyr
Martyr Ponticus of Lyon
† 177
Also known as: Понтик Лугдунский, Мч. Понтик, Понтик
A fifteen-year-old Christian martyred in the arena of Lugdunum (Lyon) in 177 together with the martyr Blandina during the persecution under Marcus Aurelius.
Ponticus is one of the martyrs of Lyon (Lugdunum) who suffered in 177 under Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Their story is known from the letter of the Churches of Lyon and Vienne, preserved by Eusebius of Caesarea in his Church History, which names ten of the martyrs, including Bishop Pothinus, Blandina and Ponticus.
Ponticus was about fifteen years old. He and Blandina were made to watch the tortures of the other Christians day after day and were pressed to swear by the pagan gods. Their steadfastness enraged the crowd. On the last day of the public festival they were brought into the arena; encouraged and strengthened by Blandina, Ponticus endured every torment and died, and Blandina was martyred after him. The bodies of the martyrs were guarded for several days, then burned and their ashes thrown into the Rhône.
Blandina and Ponticus of Lyon have been included in the calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church among the saints of Western Europe of the first millennium. Feast: 2 (15) June.