Church History 5.1.1–5.2.8
Greek text: Dindorf, Eusebii Opera 4 (Greek text: W. Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Leipzig: Teubner, 1871), digitized by the First Thousand Years of Greek project (Open Greek and Latin), CC BY-SA 4.0).English: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), public domain (CC0). Compare: Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 1 (1890).
Church 5, chapter 1
5.1.1Dindorf 4:183
Γαλλία μὲν οὐν ἡ χώρα ἦν, καθʼ ἣν τὸ τῶν δηλουμένων συνεκροτεῖτο στάδιον, ἧς μητροπόλεις ἐπίσημοι καὶ παρὰ τὰς ἄλλας τῶν αὐτόθι διαφέρουσαι βεβόηνται Λούγοδουνος καὶ Βίεννα, διʼ ὧν ἀμφοτέρων τὴν ἅπασαν χώραν πολλῷ τῷ ῥεύματι περιρρέων ὁ Ῥοδανὸς ποταμὸς διέξεισι.
Gallia men oun hē chōra ēn, kathʼ hēn to tōn dēloumenōn synekroteito stadion, hēs mētropoleis episēmoi kai para tas allas tōn autothi diapherousai beboēntai Lougodounos kai Bienna, diʼ hōn amphoterōn tēn hapasan chōran pollǭ tǭ rheumati perirreōn ho Rhodanos potamos diexeisi.
Gaul, then, was the country in which the stadium of those whose story is told was set up. Its metropolises, famous and pre-eminent above the others there, are Lyons and Vienne, through both of which the river Rhône passes, flowing with a strong current round the whole region.
Notes and citation
Summary: The martyrdoms of AD 177 took place in Gaul, at Lyons and Vienne on the Rhône.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.1 (Dindorf 4:183; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.2Dindorf 4:183
τὴν οὐν περὶ τῶν μαρτύρων γραφὴν αἱ τῇδε διαφανέσταται ἐκκλησίαι ταῖς κατὰ τὴν Ἀσίαν καὶ Φρυγίαν διαπέμπονται, τὰ παρʼ αὐταῖς πραχθέντα τοῦτον ἀνιστοροῦσαι τὸν τρόπον.
tēn oun peri tōn martyrōn graphēn hai tę̄de diaphanestatai ekklēsiai tais kata tēn Asian kai Phrygian diapempontai, ta parʼ autais prachthenta touton anistorousai ton tropon.
The most illustrious churches there sent the written account of the martyrs to the churches in Asia and Phrygia, relating what had been done among them in this manner.
Notes and citation
Summary: The churches of Gaul sent an account of their martyrs to the churches of Asia and Phrygia.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.2 (Dindorf 4:183; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.3Dindorf 4:183
παραθήσομαι δὲ τὰς αὐτῶν φωνάς “οἱ ἐν Βιέννῃ καὶ Λουγδούνῳ τῆς Γαλλίας παροικοῦντες δοῦλοι Χριστοῦ τοῖς Ἀσίαν καὶ Φρυγίαν τὴν αὐτὴν τῆς ἀπολυτρώσεως ‘ἡμῖν πίστιν καὶ ἐλπίδα ἔχουσιν ἀδελφοῖς εἰρήνη ‘καὶ χάρις καὶ δόξα ἀπὸ θεοῦ πατρὸς καὶ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν.”
parathēsomai de tas autōn phōnas “hoi en Biennę̄ kai Lougdounǭ tēs Gallias paroikountes douloi Christou tois Asian kai Phrygian tēn autēn tēs apolytrōseōs ‘hēmin pistin kai elpida echousin adelphois eirēnē ‘kai charis kai doxa apo theou patros kai Christou Iēsou tou kyriou hēmōn.”
I shall set out their own words. [The letter:] “The servants of Christ who sojourn in Vienne and Lyons in Gaul, to the brothers in Asia and Phrygia who have the same faith and hope of redemption as we: peace and grace and glory from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Rom 1:7 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The letter of the churches of Vienne and Lyons opens with a greeting to the brothers in Asia and Phrygia.
- From here to 5.2.8 Eusebius quotes the Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons (ca. 177), preserved only in these extracts. The greeting echoes the Pauline form (e.g. Rom 1:7).
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (line-division fragment repeated in the digital text): Γαλ- “ λίας “λίας → Γαλλίας.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.3 (Dindorf 4:183; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.4Dindorf 4:183
εἶτα τούτοις ἐξῆς ἕτερα προοιμιασάμενοι τὴν τοῦ λόγου καταρχὴν ποιοῦνται ἐν τούτοις “τὸ μὲν οὖν μέγεθος τῆς ἐνθάδε θλίψεως καὶ τὴν τοσαύτην τῶν ἐθνῶν εἰς τοὺς ἁγίους ὀργὴν, καὶ ὅσα ὑπέμειναν οἱ μακάριοι μάρτυρες, ἐπʼ ἀκριβὲς οὔθʼ ἡμεῖς εἰπεῖν ἱκανοὶ οὔτε μὴν γραφῇ περιληφθῆναι δυνατόν.
eita toutois exēs hetera prooimiasamenoi tēn tou logou katarchēn poiountai en toutois “to men oun megethos tēs enthade thlipseōs kai tēn tosautēn tōn ethnōn eis tous hagious orgēn, kai hosa hypemeinan hoi makarioi martyres, epʼ akribes outhʼ hēmeis eipein hikanoi oute mēn graphę̄ perilēphthēnai dynaton.
Then, after some further preliminary words, they begin their account thus: “The greatness of the affliction here, the fury of the Gentiles against the saints, and all that the blessed martyrs endured, we are not able to tell exactly, nor indeed can it be contained in writing.
Notes and citation
Summary: The letter says that the persecution in Gaul was too great to describe fully.
- Quotation from the Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Persecution, Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.4 (Dindorf 4:183; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.5Dindorf 4:183–184
παντὶ γὰρ σθένει “ἐνέσκηψεν ὁ ἀντικείμενος, προοιμιαζόμενος ἤδη τὴν “ἀδεῶς μέλλουσαν ἔσεσθαι παρουσίαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ διὰ “πάντων διῆλθεν, ἐθίζων τοὺς ἑαυτοῦ καὶ προγυ- “μνάζων κατὰ τῶν δούλων τοῦ θεοῦ, ὥστε μὴ μόνον “οἰκιῶν καὶ βαλανείων καὶ ἀγορᾶς εἴργεσθαι, ἀλλὰ “καὶ τὸ καθόλου φαίνεσθαι ἡμῶν τινὰ αὐτοῖς ἀπειρῆσθαι “ἐν ὁποίῳ δήποτε τόπῳ.
panti gar sthenei “eneskēpsen ho antikeimenos, prooimiazomenos ēdē tēn “adeōs mellousan esesthai parousian autou, kai dia “pantōn diēlthen, ethizōn tous heautou kai progy- “mnazōn kata tōn doulōn tou theou, hōste mē monon “oikiōn kai balaneiōn kai agoras eirgesthai, alla “kai to katholou phainesthai hēmōn tina autois apeirēsthai “en hopoiǭ dēpote topǭ.
For the adversary fell upon us with all his might, giving already a foretaste of his coming, which is soon to be unchecked; and he went through everything, training his own and exercising them beforehand against the servants of God, so that not only were we shut out of houses, baths, and the market-place, but any of us was forbidden to appear at all in any place whatever.
2 Thess 2:8 (allusion, low confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Satan's attack began with Christians being barred from homes, baths, the market, and every public place.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons. The adversary's “coming” is the Antichrist's (cf. 2 Thess 2:8–9).
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Persecution, Eschatology
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.5 (Dindorf 4:183–184; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.6Dindorf 4:184
ἀντεστρατήγει “δὲ ἡ χάρις τοῦ θεοῦ, καὶ τοὺς μὲν ἀσθενεῖς ἐρρύετο, “ἀντιπαρέτασσε δὲ στύλους ἑδραίους, δυναμένους “διὰ τῆς ὑπομονῆς πᾶσαν τὴν ὁρμὴν τοῦ πονηροῦ “εἰς ἑαυτοὺς ἑλκύσαι, οἳ καὶ ὁμόσε ἐχώρουν “αὐτῷ, πᾶν εἶδος ὀνειδισμοῦ καὶ κολάσεως ἀνεχόμενοι, “οἳ καὶ τὰ πολλὰ ὀλίγα ἡγούμενοι ἔσπευδον πρὸς “Χριστὸν, ὄντως ἐπιδεικνύμενοι ὅτι οὐκ ἄξια τὰ παθήματα “τοῦ νῦν καιροῦ πρὸς τὴν μέλλουσαν δόξαν “ἀποκαλυφθῆναι εἰς ἡμᾶς.
antestratēgei “de hē charis tou theou, kai tous men astheneis erryeto, “antiparetasse de stylous hedraious, dynamenous “dia tēs hypomonēs pasan tēn hormēn tou ponērou “eis heautous helkysai, hoi kai homose echōroun “autǭ, pan eidos oneidismou kai kolaseōs anechomenoi, “hoi kai ta polla oliga hēgoumenoi espeudon pros “Christon, ontōs epideiknymenoi hoti ouk axia ta pathēmata “tou nyn kairou pros tēn mellousan doxan “apokalyphthēnai eis hēmas.
But the grace of God led the fight against him: it rescued the weak and set against him firm pillars, able through endurance to draw upon themselves the whole assault of the evil one. They closed with him, bearing every kind of reproach and punishment; counting much as little, they hastened to Christ, showing truly that “the sufferings of the present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
Rom 8:18 (quotation, high confidence) · Gal 2:9 (echo, low confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: God's grace raised up steadfast believers who endured every abuse and hurried to Christ.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons, which quotes Rom 8:18; “pillars” echoes Gal 2:9 and 1 Tim 3:15.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom, Persecution
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.6 (Dindorf 4:184; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.7Dindorf 4:184
καὶ πρῶτον μὲν τὰ “ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄχλου πανδημεὶ σωρηδὸν ἐπιφερόμενα γενναίως “ὑπέμενον, ἐπιβοήσεις καὶ πληγὰς καὶ συρμοὺς “καὶ διαρπαγὰς καὶ λίθων βολὰς καὶ συγκλείσεις “καὶ πάνθʼ ὅσα ἠγριωμένῳ πλήθει ὡς πρὸς “ἐχθροὺς καὶ πολεμίους φιλεῖ γίνεσθαι.
kai prōton men ta “apo tou ochlou pandēmei sōrēdon epipheromena gennaiōs “hypemenon, epiboēseis kai plēgas kai syrmous “kai diarpagas kai lithōn bolas kai synkleiseis “kai panthʼ hosa ēgriōmenǭ plēthei hōs pros “echthrous kai polemious philei ginesthai.
First they nobly endured what the mob heaped on them en masse: shouts and blows and dragging, plundering and stoning and imprisonment, and everything an enraged multitude likes to do to foes and enemies.
Notes and citation
Summary: The Christians first suffered mob violence of every kind.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.7 (Dindorf 4:184; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-7).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.8Dindorf 4:184
καὶ δὴ “ἀναχθέντες εἰς τὴν ἀγορὰν ὑπό τε τοῦ χιλιάρχου “καὶ τῶν προεστηκότων τῆς πόλεως ἐξουσιῶν, ἐπὶ “παντὸς τοῦ πλήθους ἀνακριθέντες καὶ ὁμολογήσαντες, “συνεκλείσθησαν εἰς τὴν εἱρκτὴν ἕως τοῦ ἡγεμόνος “τῆς παρουσίας
kai dē “anachthentes eis tēn agoran hypo te tou chiliarchou “kai tōn proestēkotōn tēs poleōs exousiōn, epi “pantos tou plēthous anakrithentes kai homologēsantes, “synekleisthēsan eis tēn heirktēn heōs tou hēgemonos “tēs parousias
Then they were led up to the forum by the tribune and the city's presiding authorities, examined before the whole crowd, and, having confessed, were shut up in prison until the governor's arrival.
Notes and citation
Summary: After public examination and confession, they were imprisoned to await the governor.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (wrong breathing and accent in the digital text): τοὐ ήγεμόνος → τοῦ ἡγεμόνος.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Persecution, Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.8 (Dindorf 4:184; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-8).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.9Dindorf 4:184–185
μετέπειτα δὲ ἐπὶ τὸν ἡγεμόνα “ἀχθέντων αὐτῶν, κἀκείνου πάσῃ τῇ πρὸς ἡμᾶς “ὠμότητι χρωμένου, Οὐέττιος Ἐπάγαθος, εἷς ἐκ τῶν “ἀδελφῶν, πλήρωμα ἀγάπης τῆς πρὸς τὸν θεὸν καὶ “πρὸς τὸν πλησίον κεχωρηκὼς — οὑ καὶ ἐπὶ τοσοῦτον ἠκρίβωτο ἡ πολιτεία, ὡς καίπερ ὄντα νέον συνεξισοῦσθαι τῇ τοῦ πρεσβυτέρου Ζαχαρίου μαρτυρίᾳ· “πεπόρευτο γοῦν ἐν πάσαις ταῖς ἐντολαῖς καὶ δικαιώ- ῾μασι τοῦ κυρίου ἄμεμπτος, πάσῃ τῇ πρὸς τὸν πλη- “σίον λειτουργίᾳ ἄοκνος, ζῆλον θεοῦ πολὺν ἔχων, “καὶ ζέων τῷ πνεύματι — τοιοῦτος δή τις ὢν τὴν ‘οὕτως καθʼ ἡμῶν ἀλόγως γινομένην κρίσιν οὐκ ἐβά- “στασεν, ἀλλʼ ὑπερηγανάκτησε, καὶ ἠξίου καὶ αὐτὸς ἀκουσθῆναι ἀπολογούμενος ὑπὲρ τῶν ἀδελφῶν, ὅτι μηδὲν ἄθεον μηδὲ ἀσεβές ἐστιν ἐν ἡμῖν.
metepeita de epi ton hēgemona “achthentōn autōn, kakeinou pasę̄ tę̄ pros hēmas “ōmotēti chrōmenou, Ouettios Epagathos, heis ek tōn “adelphōn, plērōma agapēs tēs pros ton theon kai “pros ton plēsion kechōrēkōs — hou kai epi tosouton ēkribōto hē politeia, hōs kaiper onta neon synexisousthai tę̄ tou presbyterou Zachariou martyrią; “peporeuto goun en pasais tais entolais kai dikaiō- ῾masi tou kyriou amemptos, pasę̄ tę̄ pros ton plē- “sion leitourgią aoknos, zēlon theou polyn echōn, “kai zeōn tǭ pneumati — toioutos dē tis ōn tēn ‘houtōs kathʼ hēmōn alogōs ginomenēn krisin ouk eba- “stasen, allʼ hyperēganaktēse, kai ēxiou kai autos akousthēnai apologoumenos hyper tōn adelphōn, hoti mēden atheon mēde asebes estin en hēmin.
Afterwards, when they were brought before the governor and he treated us with every cruelty, Vettius Epagathus, one of the brothers, who had attained the fullness of love toward God and toward his neighbour (his manner of life was so exact that, though young, he was reckoned equal to the testimony of the elder Zacharias: he “walked in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless,” was tireless in every service to his neighbour, had great zeal for God, and was “fervent in spirit”) — being such a man, he could not bear the judgment so unreasonably passed against us, but was exceedingly indignant, and asked that he too be heard in defence of the brothers, that there is nothing godless or impious among us.
Luke 1:6 (quotation, high confidence) · Rom 12:11 (quotation, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Vettius Epagathus, a young man of exemplary life, demanded to be heard in defence of the accused Christians.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons, citing Luke 1:6 (of Zechariah) and Rom 12:11.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (transposed letters in the digital text): Οὐέττοις → Οὐέττιος.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom, Persecution
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.9 (Dindorf 4:184–185; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-9).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.10Dindorf 4:185
τῶν δὲ περὶ τὸ βῆμα καταβοησάντων αὐτοῦ, (καὶ γὰρ ἠν ἐπίσημος), καὶ τοῦ ἡγεμόνος μὴ ἀνασχομένου τῆς οὕτως ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ δικαίας προταθείσης ἀξιώσεως, ἀλλὰ μόνον τοῦτο πυθομένου, εἰ καὶ αὐτὸς εἴη Χριστιανὸς, τοῦ δὲ λαμπροτάτῃ φωνῇ ὁμολογήσαντος, ἀνελήφθη καὶ αὐτὸς εἰς τὸν κλῆρον τῶν μαρτύρων, παράκλητος Χριστιανῶν χρηματίσας, ἔχων δὲ τὸν παράκλητον ἐν ἑαυτῷ, τὸ πνεῦμα πλέον τοῦ Ζαχαρίου, ὃ διὰ τοῦ πληρώματος τῆς ἀγάπης ἐνεδείξατο, εὐδοκήσας ὑπὲρ τῆς τῶν ἀδελφῶν ἀπολογίας καὶ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ θεῖναι ψυχήν. ἦν γὰρ καὶ ἔστι γνήσιος Χριστοῦ μαθητὴς, ἀκολουθῶν τῷ ἀρνίῳ ὅπου ἂν ὑπάγῃ.
tōn de peri to bēma kataboēsantōn autou, (kai gar ēn episēmos), kai tou hēgemonos mē anaschomenou tēs houtōs hypʼ autou dikaias protatheisēs axiōseōs, alla monon touto pythomenou, ei kai autos eiē Christianos, tou de lamprotatę̄ phōnę̄ homologēsantos, anelēphthē kai autos eis ton klēron tōn martyrōn, paraklētos Christianōn chrēmatisas, echōn de ton paraklēton en heautǭ, to pneuma pleon tou Zachariou, ho dia tou plērōmatos tēs agapēs enedeixato, eudokēsas hyper tēs tōn adelphōn apologias kai tēn heautou theinai psychēn. ēn gar kai esti gnēsios Christou mathētēs, akolouthōn tǭ arniǭ hopou an hypagę̄.
Those around the tribunal shouted him down (for he was a man of distinction), and the governor would not allow the just request he had put forward, but only asked whether he too was a Christian. When he confessed it in a most clear voice, he too was taken up into the lot of the martyrs. He was called the advocate of the Christians, but he had the Advocate in himself, the Spirit, more fully than Zacharias, which he showed by the fullness of his love, being well pleased to lay down even his own life in defence of the brothers. For he was and is a true disciple of Christ, “following the Lamb wherever he goes.”
Rev 14:4 (quotation, high confidence) · John 14:16 (allusion, medium confidence) · 1 John 3:16 (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: When Vettius confessed he was a Christian he was numbered among the martyrs, a true disciple who had the Spirit as his advocate.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons. The play on παράκλητος (“advocate” / the Paraclete) alludes to John 14:16; the quotations are Rev 14:4 and, for laying down one's life, 1 John 3:16. Whether Vettius was executed at once is not stated.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.10 (Dindorf 4:185; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-10).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.11Dindorf 4:185–186
ἐντεῦθεν δὴ διεκρίνοντο οἱ λοιποὶ, καὶ φανεροὶ καὶ ἕτοιμοι ἐγίνοντο πρωτομάρτυρες, οἳ καὶ μετὰ πάσης προθυμίας ἀνεπλήρουν τὴν ὁμολογίαν τῆς μαρτυρίας, ἐφαίνοντο δὲ καὶ οἱ ἀνέτοιμοι καὶ ἀγύμναστοι καὶ ἔτι ἀσθενεῖς, ἀγῶνος μεγάλου τόνον ἐνεγκεῖν μὴ δυνάμενοι, ὧν καὶ ἐξέτρωσαν ὡς δέκα τὸν ἀριθμὸν, οἳ καὶ μεγάλην λύπην καὶ πένθος ἀμέτρητον ἐνεποίησαν ἡμῖν, καὶ τὴν προθυμίαν τῶν “λοιπῶν τῶν μὴ συνειλημμένων ἐνέκοψαν, οἳ καί “πάντα τὰ δεινὰ πάσχοντες ὅμως συμπαρῆσαν τοῖς “μάρτυσι καὶ οὐκ ἀπελείποντο αὐτῶν.
enteuthen dē diekrinonto hoi loipoi, kai phaneroi kai hetoimoi eginonto prōtomartyres, hoi kai meta pasēs prothymias aneplēroun tēn homologian tēs martyrias, ephainonto de kai hoi anetoimoi kai agymnastoi kai eti astheneis, agōnos megalou tonon enenkein mē dynamenoi, hōn kai exetrōsan hōs deka ton arithmon, hoi kai megalēn lypēn kai penthos ametrēton enepoiēsan hēmin, kai tēn prothymian tōn “loipōn tōn mē syneilēmmenōn enekopsan, hoi kai “panta ta deina paschontes homōs symparēsan tois “martysi kai ouk apeleiponto autōn.
From then on the others were divided. Some were manifestly ready to be first martyrs and fulfilled with all eagerness the confession of martyrdom. But others appeared unready and untrained and still weak, unable to bear the strain of a great contest; of these about ten in number miscarried, and they caused us great grief and immeasurable mourning, and checked the eagerness of the rest who had not been arrested, who, though suffering every terror, nevertheless stood by the martyrs and did not abandon them.
Notes and citation
Summary: Some were ready for martyrdom, but about ten fell away, grieving the church and discouraging others.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons. “Miscarried” renders ἐξέτρωσαν, a metaphor of abortive birth that the letter takes up again in 5.1.45–46.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom, Persecution
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.11 (Dindorf 4:185–186; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-11).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.12Dindorf 4:186
τότε δὴ “ οἱ πάντες μεγάλως ἐπτοήθημεν, διὰ τὸ ἄδηλον τῆς “ὁμολογίας, οὐ τὰς ἐπιφερομένας κολάσεις φοβούμε- ‘νοι, ἀλλὰ τὸ τέλος ἀφορῶντες, καὶ τὸ ἀποπεσεῖν τινὰ ‘δεδιότες.
tote dē “ hoi pantes megalōs eptoēthēmen, dia to adēlon tēs “homologias, ou tas epipheromenas kolaseis phoboume- ‘noi, alla to telos aphorōntes, kai to apopesein tina ‘dediotes.
Then we were all greatly alarmed because of the uncertainty of their confession, not fearing the punishments inflicted, but looking to the end and dreading that someone might fall away.
Notes and citation
Summary: The church feared not the tortures but that more would fall away.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.12 (Dindorf 4:186; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-12).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.13Dindorf 4:186
συνελαμβάνοντο μέντοι καθʼ ἑκάστην “ἡμέραν οἱ ἄξιοι, τὸν ἐκείνων ἀναπληροῦντες ἀρι- “θμὸν, ὥστε συλλεγῆναι ἐκ τῶν δύο ἐκκλησιῶν πάν- “τας τοὺς σπουδαίους, καὶ διʼ ὧν μάλιστα συνειστή- “κει τὰ ἐνθάδε.
synelambanonto mentoi kathʼ hekastēn “hēmeran hoi axioi, ton ekeinōn anaplērountes ari- “thmon, hōste syllegēnai ek tōn dyo ekklēsiōn pan- “tas tous spoudaious, kai diʼ hōn malista syneistē- “kei ta enthade.
Yet every day the worthy were arrested, filling up their number, so that all the zealous members of the two churches were gathered in, those through whom above all things here had been established.
Notes and citation
Summary: Daily arrests brought in the leading members of both churches.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.13 (Dindorf 4:186; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-13).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.14Dindorf 4:186
συνελαμβάνοντο δὲ καὶ ἐθνικοί “τινες οἰκέται τῶν ἡμετέρων, ἐπεὶ δημοσίᾳ ἐκέλευσεν “ὁ ἡγεμὼν ἀναζητεῖσθαι πάντας ἡμᾶς· οἳ καὶ κατʼ ἐνέ- “δραν τοῦ σατανᾶ, φοβηθέντες τὰς βασάνους ἃς τοὺς “ἁγίους ἔβλεπον πάσχοντας, τῶν στρατιωτῶν ἐπί τοῦτο “παρορμώντων αὐτοὺς κατεψεύσαντο ἡμῶν Θυέστεια “δεῖπνα καὶ Οἰδιποδείους μίξεις καὶ ὅσα μήτε λαλεῖν “μήτε νοεῖν θέμις ἡμῖν, ἀλλἀ μηδὲ πιστεύειν, εἴ τι τοι- “οῦτο πώποτε παρὰ ἀνθρώποις ἐγένετο.
synelambanonto de kai ethnikoi “tines oiketai tōn hēmeterōn, epei dēmosią ekeleusen “ho hēgemōn anazēteisthai pantas hēmas; hoi kai katʼ ene- “dran tou satana, phobēthentes tas basanous has tous “hagious eblepon paschontas, tōn stratiōtōn epi touto “parormōntōn autous katepseusanto hēmōn Thyesteia “deipna kai Oidipodeious mixeis kai hosa mēte lalein “mēte noein themis hēmin, alla mēde pisteuein, ei ti toi- “outo pōpote para anthrōpois egeneto.
Some pagan household slaves of our people were also arrested, since the governor had publicly ordered that all of us be sought out. By the snare of Satan, fearing the tortures they saw the saints suffering, and urged on to this by the soldiers, they falsely accused us of Thyestean feasts and Oedipodean intercourse and things we may neither speak nor think of, nor even believe that such a thing ever happened among human beings.
Notes and citation
Summary: Pagan slaves, under pressure, falsely accused the Christians of cannibalism and incest.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons. “Thyestean feasts” (cannibalism) and “Oedipodean intercourse” (incest) were the standard slanders against Christians.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.14 (Dindorf 4:186; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-14).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.15Dindorf 4:186
τούτων δὲ “φημισθέντων πάντες ἀπεθηριώθησαν εἰς ἡμᾶς, ὥστε “καὶ εἴ τινες τὸ πρότερον διʼ οἰκειότητα ἐμετρίαζον, “τότε μεγάλως ἐχαλέπαινον καὶ διεπρίοντο καθʼ ἡμῶν. “ἐπληροῦτο δὲ τὸ ὑπὸ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν εἰρημένον, ὅτι ἐλεύσεται καιρὸς ἐν ᾧ πᾶς ὁ ἀποκτείνας ὑμᾶς “δόξει λατρείαν προσφέρειν τῷ θεῷ.
toutōn de “phēmisthentōn pantes apethēriōthēsan eis hēmas, hōste “kai ei tines to proteron diʼ oikeiotēta emetriazon, “tote megalōs echalepainon kai dieprionto kathʼ hēmōn. “eplērouto de to hypo tou kyriou hēmōn eirēmenon, hoti eleusetai kairos en hǭ pas ho apokteinas hymas “doxei latreian prospherein tǭ theǭ.
When these things were spread abroad, all became like wild beasts toward us, so that even those who had formerly been moderate because of family ties were then greatly incensed and gnashed their teeth against us. And what was said by our Lord was fulfilled, that “the time will come when whoever kills you will think he is offering worship to God.”
John 16:2 (quotation, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The slanders turned everyone against the Christians, fulfilling Christ's prediction in John 16:2.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons, citing John 16:2.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.15 (Dindorf 4:186; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-15).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.16Dindorf 4:186
ἐνταῦθα “λοιπὸν ὑπεράνω πάσης ἐξηγήσεως ὑπέμενον “σεῖς οἱ ἅγιοι μάρτυρες, φιλοτιμουμένου τοῦ σατανᾶ “καὶ διʼ ἐκείνων ῥηθῆναί τι τῶν βλασφήμων.
entautha “loipon hyperanō pasēs exēgēseōs hypemenon “seis hoi hagioi martyres, philotimoumenou tou satana “kai diʼ ekeinōn rhēthēnai ti tōn blasphēmōn.
Thereafter the holy martyrs endured tortures beyond all description, Satan striving eagerly that something blasphemous might be said by them too.
Notes and citation
Summary: The martyrs endured indescribable tortures as Satan tried to make them blaspheme.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons. The digital text reads a meaningless “σεῖς” before οἱ ἅγιοι; “tortures” (probably αἰκίας) is supplied from the sense.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.16 (Dindorf 4:186; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-16).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.17Dindorf 4:186–187
“ὑπερβεβλημένως δὲ ἐνέσκηψεν ἡ ὀργὴ πᾶσα καὶ “ὄχλου καὶ ἡγεμόνος καὶ στρατιωτῶν εἰς Σάγκτον “τὸν διάκονον ἀπὸ Βιέννης, καὶ εἰς Μάτουρον, νεο- “φώτιστον μὲν, ἀλλὰ γενναῖον ἀγωνιστὴν, καὶ εἰς “Ἄτταλον Περγαμηνὸν τῷ γένει, στῦλον καὶ “τῶν ἐνταῦθα ἀεὶ γεγονότα, καὶ εἰς Βλανδῖναν, δι ἧς ἐπέδειξεν ὁ Χριστὸς ὅτι τὰ παρὰ ἀνθρώποις εὐτελῆ καὶ ἀειδῆ καὶ εὐκαταφρόνητα φαινόμενα μεγάλης καταξιοῦται παρὰ θεῷ δόξης, διὰ τὴν πρὸς “αὐτὸν ἀγάπην, τὴν ἐν δυνάμει δεικνυμένην, καὶ μὴ “ἐν εἴδει καυχωμένην.
“hyperbeblēmenōs de eneskēpsen hē orgē pasa kai “ochlou kai hēgemonos kai stratiōtōn eis Sankton “ton diakonon apo Biennēs, kai eis Matouron, neo- “phōtiston men, alla gennaion agōnistēn, kai eis “Attalon Pergamēnon tǭ genei, stylon kai “tōn entautha aei gegonota, kai eis Blandinan, di hēs epedeixen ho Christos hoti ta para anthrōpois eutelē kai aeidē kai eukataphronēta phainomena megalēs kataxioutai para theǭ doxēs, dia tēn pros “auton agapēn, tēn en dynamei deiknymenēn, kai mē “en eidei kauchōmenēn.
The whole fury of mob, governor, and soldiers fell beyond measure on Sanctus, the deacon from Vienne; on Maturus, newly baptized but a noble contender; on Attalus, a native of Pergamum, who had always been a pillar and support of the Christians here; and on Blandina, through whom Christ showed that things that appear cheap, unsightly, and contemptible among human beings are counted worthy of great glory with God, because of love for him shown in power and not boasting in appearance.
1 Cor 1:27 (allusion, medium confidence) · 1 Tim 3:15 (echo, low confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The persecutors' fury fell especially on Sanctus, Maturus, Attalus, and the slave Blandina.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons; cf. 1 Cor 1:27–28. The digital text lacks a word after στῦλον καὶ (probably ἑδραίωμα, “support”, from 1 Tim 3:15), which is translated.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom, Church office
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.17 (Dindorf 4:186–187; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-17).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.18Dindorf 4:187
ἡμῶν γὰρ πάντων δεδιό- ‘των, καὶ τῆς σαρκίνης δεσποίνης αὐτῆς, ἥτις ἦν καὶ αὐτὴ τῶν μαρτύρων μία ἀγωνίστρια, ἀγωνιώσης “μὴ οὐδὲ τὴν ὁμολογίαν δυνήσεται παρρησιάσασθαι διὰ τὸ ἀσθενὲς τοῦ σώματος, ἡ Βλανδῖνα τοσαύτης “ἐπληρώθη δυνάμεως ὥστε ἐκλυθῆναι καὶ παρεθῆ- “ναι τοὺς κατὰ διαδοχὰς παντὶ τρόπῳ βασανίζοντας “αὐτὴν ἀπὸ ἑωθινῆς ἕως ἑσπέρας, καὶ αὐτοὺς ὁμολογοῦντας ὅτι νενίκηνται, μηδὲν ἔχοντες μηκέτι ὃ ῾ποιήσουσιν αὐτῇ, καὶ θαυμάζειν ἐπὶ τῷ παραμένειν ‘ἔμπνουν αὐτὴν, παντὸς τοῦ σώματος διερρωγότος καὶ ἠνεῳγμένου, καὶ μαρτυρεῖν ὅτι ἓν εἶδος στρεβλώσεως ἱκανὸν ἠν πρὸς τὸ ἐξαγαγεῖν τὴν ψυχὴν, οὐχ ὅτι γε τοιαῦτα καὶ τοσαῦτα.
hēmōn gar pantōn dedio- ‘tōn, kai tēs sarkinēs despoinēs autēs, hētis ēn kai autē tōn martyrōn mia agōnistria, agōniōsēs “mē oude tēn homologian dynēsetai parrēsiasasthai dia to asthenes tou sōmatos, hē Blandina tosautēs “eplērōthē dynameōs hōste eklythēnai kai parethē- “nai tous kata diadochas panti tropǭ basanizontas “autēn apo heōthinēs heōs hesperas, kai autous homologountas hoti nenikēntai, mēden echontes mēketi ho ῾poiēsousin autę̄, kai thaumazein epi tǭ paramenein ‘empnoun autēn, pantos tou sōmatos dierrōgotos kai ēneǭgmenou, kai martyrein hoti hen eidos streblōseōs hikanon ēn pros to exagagein tēn psychēn, ouch hoti ge toiauta kai tosauta.
For while we were all afraid, and her mistress according to the flesh, who was herself also one of the contending martyrs, was in agony lest she should not be able even to make her confession boldly because of her bodily weakness, Blandina was filled with such power that those who tortured her in relays in every way from morning until evening grew weary and gave up. They confessed that they were beaten, having nothing more they could do to her, and marvelled that she remained alive when her whole body was broken and laid open, and testified that a single kind of torture was enough to drive out the soul, let alone so many and such tortures.
Notes and citation
Summary: Blandina, though a frail slave, endured a whole day of torture until her torturers admitted defeat.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.18 (Dindorf 4:187; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-18).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.19Dindorf 4:187
ἀλλʼ ἡ μακαρία ὡς γενναῖος ἀθλητὴς ἀνενέαζεν ἐν τῇ ὁμολογίᾳ, καὶ ἦν αὐτῆς ἀνάληψις καὶ ἀνάπαυσις καὶ ἀναλγησία τῶν συμβαινόντων τὸ λέγειν ὅτι Χριστιανή εἰμι καὶ παρʼ ἡμῖν οὐδὲν φαῦλον γίνεται.
allʼ hē makaria hōs gennaios athlētēs aneneazen en tę̄ homologią, kai ēn autēs analēpsis kai anapausis kai analgēsia tōn symbainontōn to legein hoti Christianē eimi kai parʼ hēmin ouden phaulon ginetai.
But the blessed woman, like a noble athlete, was renewed in her confession; and her refreshment, rest, and freedom from pain in what happened was to say, “I am a Christian, and nothing vile is done among us.”
Notes and citation
Summary: Blandina found strength by repeating, “I am a Christian, and nothing vile is done among us.”
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.19 (Dindorf 4:187; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-19).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.20Dindorf 4:187–188
ὁ δὲ Σάγκτος καὶ αὐτὸς ὑπερβεβλημένως καὶ ὑπὲρ πάντα ἄνθρωπον πάσας τὰς ἐξ ἀνθρώπων αἰκίας γενναίως ὑπομένων, τῶν ἀνόμων ἐλπιζόντων διὰ τὴν ἐπιμονὴν καὶ τὸ μέγεθος τῶν βασάνων ἀκούσεσθαί τι παρʼ αὐτοῦ τῶν μὴ δεόντων, τοσαύτῃ ὑποστάσει ἀντιπαρετάξατο αὐτοῖς ὥστε μηδὲ τὸ ἴδιον κατειπεῖν “ὄνομα, μήτε ἔθνους, μήτε πόλεως ὅθεν ἦν, μήτε εἰ “δοῦλος ἢ ἐλεύθερος εἴη, ἀλλὰ πρὸς πάντα τὰ ἐπε- “ρωτώμενα ἀπεκρίνατο τῇ ῾Ρωμαϊκῇ φωνῇ ῾Χριστια- “νός εἰμι.᾿ τοῦτο καὶ ἀντὶ ὀνόματος καὶ ἀντὶ πό- “λεως καὶ ἀντὶ γένους καὶ ἀντὶ παντὸς ἐπαλλήλως “ὡμολόγει, ἄλλην δὲ φωνὴν οὐκ ἤκουσαν αὐτοῦ τὰ “ἔθνη.
ho de Sanktos kai autos hyperbeblēmenōs kai hyper panta anthrōpon pasas tas ex anthrōpōn aikias gennaiōs hypomenōn, tōn anomōn elpizontōn dia tēn epimonēn kai to megethos tōn basanōn akousesthai ti parʼ autou tōn mē deontōn, tosautę̄ hypostasei antiparetaxato autois hōste mēde to idion kateipein “onoma, mēte ethnous, mēte poleōs hothen ēn, mēte ei “doulos ē eleutheros eiē, alla pros panta ta epe- “rōtōmena apekrinato tę̄ ῾Rōmaïkę̄ phōnę̄ ῾Christia- “nos eimi.᾿ touto kai anti onomatos kai anti po- “leōs kai anti genous kai anti pantos epallēlōs “hōmologei, allēn de phōnēn ouk ēkousan autou ta “ethnē.
Sanctus also nobly endured, beyond measure and beyond all human strength, all the outrages men could inflict. While the lawless hoped that through the persistence and severity of the tortures they would hear from him something improper, he opposed them with such firmness that he did not even state his own name, nor his nation, nor the city he came from, nor whether he was slave or free; to every question he answered in Latin, “I am a Christian.” This he confessed again and again in place of name, city, race, and everything else, and the Gentiles heard no other word from him.
Notes and citation
Summary: Sanctus answered every question, even about his name, only with “I am a Christian.”
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.20 (Dindorf 4:187–188; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-20).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.21Dindorf 4:188
ὅθεν δὴ καὶ φιλονεικία μεγάλη τοῦ “τε ἡγεμόνος καὶ τῶν βασανιστῶν ἐγένετο πρὸς αὐ- “τὸν, ὥστε ὁπότε μηκέτι μηδὲν εἶχον ὃ ποιήσουσιν “αὐτῷ, τὸ τελευταῖον χαλκᾶς λεπίδας διαπύρους “προσεκόλλων τοῖς τρυφερωτάτοις μέλεσι τοῦ σώμα- “τος αὐτοῦ.
hothen dē kai philoneikia megalē tou “te hēgemonos kai tōn basanistōn egeneto pros au- “ton, hōste hopote mēketi mēden eichon ho poiēsousin “autǭ, to teleutaion chalkas lepidas diapyrous “prosekollōn tois trypherōtatois melesi tou sōma- “tos autou.
Hence there arose a great rivalry of the governor and the torturers against him, so that, when they had nothing more to do to him, they finally fastened red-hot brass plates to the most tender parts of his body.
Notes and citation
Summary: In frustration the torturers applied red-hot plates to Sanctus's body.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.21 (Dindorf 4:188; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-21).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.22Dindorf 4:188
καὶ ταῦτα μὲν ἐκαίετο, αὐτὸς δὲ πα- “ρέμενεν ἀνεπίκαμπτος καὶ ἀνένδοτος, στερρὸς πρὸς “τὴν ὁμολογίαν, ὑπὸ τῆς οὐρανίου πηγῆς τοῦ ὕδα- “τος τῆς ζωῆς τοῦ ἐξιόντος ἐκ τῆς νηδύος τοῦ Χρι- “στοῦ δροσιζόμενος καὶ ἐνδυναμούμενος.
kai tauta men ekaieto, autos de pa- “remenen anepikamptos kai anendotos, sterros pros “tēn homologian, hypo tēs ouraniou pēgēs tou hyda- “tos tēs zōēs tou exiontos ek tēs nēdyos tou Chri- “stou drosizomenos kai endynamoumenos.
These were burning, but he remained unbending and unyielding, firm in his confession, bedewed and strengthened by the heavenly fountain of the water of life that flows from the belly of Christ.
John 7:38 (allusion, high confidence) · Rev 21:6 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Sanctus stood firm, refreshed by the living water that flows from Christ.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons, alluding to John 7:38 and Rev 21:6.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.22 (Dindorf 4:188; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-22).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.23Dindorf 4:188
τὸ δὲ “σωμάτιον μάρτυς ἦν τῶν συμβεβηκότων, ὅλον τραῦμα “καὶ μώλωψ καὶ συνεσπασμένον καὶ ἀποβεβληκὸς τὴν “ἀνθρώπειον ἔξωθεν μορφὴν, ἐν ᾧ πάσχων Χριστὸς “μεγάλας ἐπετέλει δόξας, καταργῶν τὸν ἀντικείμε- “νον, καὶ εἰς τὴν τῶν λοιπῶν ὑποτύπωσιν ὑποδει- “κνύων ὅτι μηδὲν φοβερὸν ὅπου πατρὸς ἀγάπη, μηδὲ “ἀλγεινὸν ὅπου Χριστοῦ δόξα.
to de “sōmation martys ēn tōn symbebēkotōn, holon trauma “kai mōlōps kai synespasmenon kai apobeblēkos tēn “anthrōpeion exōthen morphēn, en hǭ paschōn Christos “megalas epetelei doxas, katargōn ton antikeime- “non, kai eis tēn tōn loipōn hypotypōsin hypodei- “knyōn hoti mēden phoberon hopou patros agapē, mēde “algeinon hopou Christou doxa.
His poor body was a witness of what had happened: all one wound and bruise, contracted, and having lost outwardly its human shape. Christ, suffering in him, accomplished great glories, bringing the adversary to nothing and showing for the example of the rest that nothing is fearful where the Father's love is, nothing painful where Christ's glory is.
1 John 4:18 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Christ suffered in the mangled Sanctus, showing that where God's love is nothing is to be feared.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons; cf. 1 John 4:18.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom, Christology
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.23 (Dindorf 4:188; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-23).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.24Dindorf 4:188–189
τῶν γὰρ ἀνόμων “μεθʼ ἡμέρας πάλιν στρεβλούντων τὸν μάρτυρα, καὶ “νομιζόντων ὅτι οἰδούντων καὶ φλεγμαινόντων τῶν “σωμάτων εἰ τὰ αὐτὰ προσενέγκοιεν κολαστήρια, πε- “ριέσοιντο αὐτοῦ, ὁπότε οὐδὲ τὴν ἀπὸ τῶν χειρῶν “ἁφὴν ἠνείχετο, ἢ ὅτι ἐναποθανὼν ταῖς βασάνοις “φόβον ἐμποιήσειε τοῖς λοιποῖς, οὐ μόνον οὐδὲν περὶ “αὐτὸν τοιοῦτο συνέβη, ἀλλὰ καὶ παρὰ πᾶσαν δόξαν “ἀνθρώπων ἀνέκυψε καὶ ἀνωρθώθη τὸ σωμάτιον ἐν “ταῖς μετέπειτα βασάνοις, καὶ τὴν ἰδέαν ἀπέλαβε “τὴν προτέραν καὶ τὴν χρῆσιν τῶν μελῶν, ὥστε μὴ “κόλασιν, ἀλλʼ ἴασιν διὰ τῆς χάριτος τοῦ Χριστοῦ “τὴν δευτέραν στρέβλωσιν αὐτῷ γενέσθαι.
tōn gar anomōn “methʼ hēmeras palin streblountōn ton martyra, kai “nomizontōn hoti oidountōn kai phlegmainontōn tōn “sōmatōn ei ta auta prosenenkoien kolastēria, pe- “riesointo autou, hopote oude tēn apo tōn cheirōn “haphēn ēneicheto, ē hoti enapothanōn tais basanois “phobon empoiēseie tois loipois, ou monon ouden peri “auton toiouto synebē, alla kai para pasan doxan “anthrōpōn anekypse kai anōrthōthē to sōmation en “tais metepeita basanois, kai tēn idean apelabe “tēn proteran kai tēn chrēsin tōn melōn, hōste mē “kolasin, allʼ iasin dia tēs charitos tou Christou “tēn deuteran streblōsin autǭ genesthai.
For when the lawless, some days later, tortured the martyr again, thinking that if they applied the same punishments while his body was swollen and inflamed they would overcome him, since he could not bear even the touch of hands, or that by dying under the tortures he would strike fear into the rest, not only did nothing of the kind happen to him, but beyond all human expectation his poor body rose up and was straightened in the subsequent tortures, and regained its former appearance and the use of its limbs, so that through the grace of Christ the second torture became for him not punishment but healing.
Notes and citation
Summary: When Sanctus was tortured again, his body was unexpectedly restored, so that the torture became a healing.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.24 (Dindorf 4:188–189; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-24).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.25Dindorf 4:189
καὶ “Βιβλιάδα δέ τινα, μίαν τῶν ἠρνημένων, ἤδη δοκῶν “ὁ διάβολος καταπεπωκέναι, θελήσας δὲ καὶ διὰ “βλασφημίας κατακρῖναι, ἦγεν ἐπὶ κόλασιν, ἀναγκά- “ζων εἰπεῖν τὰ ἄθεα περὶ ἡμῶν, ὡς εὔθραυστον ἤδη “καὶ ἄνανδρον.
kai “Bibliada de tina, mian tōn ērnēmenōn, ēdē dokōn “ho diabolos katapepōkenai, thelēsas de kai dia “blasphēmias katakrinai, ēgen epi kolasin, ananka- “zōn eipein ta athea peri hēmōn, hōs euthrauston ēdē “kai anandron.
And the devil, thinking he had already swallowed up a certain Biblis, one of those who had denied, and wishing to condemn her also through blasphemy, brought her to punishment, trying to compel her to say godless things about us, as one already easily broken and cowardly.
1 Pet 5:8 (echo, low confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Biblis, who had denied Christ, was tortured to make her slander the Christians.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons; “swallowed up” echoes 1 Pet 5:8.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom, Persecution
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.25 (Dindorf 4:189; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-25).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.26Dindorf 4:189
ἡ δὲ ἐν τῇ στρεβλώσει ἀνένηψε, “καὶ ὡσὰν εἰπεῖν ἐκ βαθέος ὕπνου ἀνεγρηγόρησεν, “ὑπομνησθεῖσα διὰ τῆς προσκαίρου τιμωρίας τὴν αἰ- “ώνιον ἐν γεέννῃ κόλασιν, καὶ ἐξ ἐναντίας ἀντεῖπε “τοῖς βλασφήμοις φήσασα ῾πῶς ἂν παιδία φάγοιεν οἱ “τοιοῦτοι, οἶς μηδὲ ἀλόγων ζῴων αἷμα φαγεῖν ἐξόν;᾿ “καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦδε Χριστιανὴν ἑαυτὴν ὡμολόγει, καὶ ἐν “τῷ κλήρῳ τῶν μαρτύρων προσετέθη.
hē de en tę̄ streblōsei anenēpse, “kai hōsan eipein ek batheos hypnou anegrēgorēsen, “hypomnēstheisa dia tēs proskairou timōrias tēn ai- “ōnion en geennę̄ kolasin, kai ex enantias anteipe “tois blasphēmois phēsasa ῾pōs an paidia phagoien hoi “toioutoi, ois mēde alogōn zǭōn haima phagein exon?᾿ “kai apo toude Christianēn heautēn hōmologei, kai en “tǭ klērǭ tōn martyrōn prosetethē.
But on the rack she came to her senses and, so to speak, woke from a deep sleep, reminded by the temporary punishment of the eternal punishment in Gehenna; and she contradicted the blasphemers, saying, “How could such people eat children, who are not even allowed to eat the blood of irrational animals?” From then on she confessed herself a Christian and was added to the lot of the martyrs.
Acts 15:29 (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Under torture Biblis repented, denied the slander of cannibalism, confessed Christ, and joined the martyrs.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons. Biblis's reply reflects continued Christian observance of the ban on blood (Acts 15:29).
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom, Eschatology
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.26 (Dindorf 4:189; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-26).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.27Dindorf 4:189
καταργη- “θέντων δὲ τῶν τυραννικῶν κολαστηρίων ὑπὸ τοῦ “Χριστοῦ διὰ τῆς τῶν μακαρίων ὑπομονῆς, ἑτέρας μη- “χανὰς ὁ διάβολος ἐπενόει, τὰς κατὰ τὴν εἱρκτὴν ἐν τῷ “σκότει καὶ τῷ χαλεπωτάτῳ χωρίῳ συγκλείσεις, καὶ “τὰς ἐν τῷ ξύλῳ διατάσεις τῶν ποδῶν, ἐπὶ πέμπτον “διατεινομένων τρύπημα, καὶ τὰς λοιπὰς αἰκίας, ὅσας “εἰώθασιν ὀργιζόμενοι ὑπουργοὶ, καὶ ταῦτα διαβόλου “πλήρεις, διατιθέναι τοὺς ἐγκλειομένους, ὥστε ἀπο- “πνιγῆναι τοὺς πλείστους ἐν τῇ εἱρκτῇ, ὅσους γε ὁ “κύριος οὕτως ἐξελθεῖν ἠθέλησεν, ἐπιδεικνύων τὴν “αὐτοῦ δόξαν.
katargē- “thentōn de tōn tyrannikōn kolastēriōn hypo tou “Christou dia tēs tōn makariōn hypomonēs, heteras mē- “chanas ho diabolos epenoei, tas kata tēn heirktēn en tǭ “skotei kai tǭ chalepōtatǭ chōriǭ synkleiseis, kai “tas en tǭ xylǭ diataseis tōn podōn, epi pempton “diateinomenōn trypēma, kai tas loipas aikias, hosas “eiōthasin orgizomenoi hypourgoi, kai tauta diabolou “plēreis, diatithenai tous enkleiomenous, hōste apo- “pnigēnai tous pleistous en tę̄ heirktę̄, hosous ge ho “kyrios houtōs exelthein ēthelēsen, epideiknyōn tēn “autou doxan.
When the tyrannical punishments had been brought to nothing by Christ through the endurance of the blessed ones, the devil devised other machinations: confinement in prison in the darkness and in the most dreadful place, the stretching of the feet in the stocks to the fifth hole, and the other outrages that angry attendants, full of the devil, usually inflict on prisoners; so that most were suffocated in the prison, those whom the Lord wished to depart in this way, showing forth his glory.
Notes and citation
Summary: The devil next used dark, cruel imprisonment, and many died of suffocation in prison.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Persecution, Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.27 (Dindorf 4:189; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-27).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.28Dindorf 4:189–190
οἱ μὲν γὰρ βασανισθέντες πικρῶς, “ὥστε δοκεῖν μηδὲ τῆς θεραπείας πάσης τυχόντας “ἔτι ζήσαι δύνασθαι, παρέμενον ἐν τῇ εἱρκτῇ ἔρημοι “μὲν τῆς παρὰ ἀνθρώπων ἐπιμελείας, ἀναρρωννύ- “μενοι δὲ ὑπὸ κυρίου καὶ ἐνδυναμούμενοι καὶ σώ- “ματι καὶ ψυχῇ, καὶ τοὺς λοιποὺς παρορμῶντες καὶ “παραμυθούμενοι. οἱ δὲ νεαροὶ καὶ ἄρτι συνειλημ- “μένοι, ὧν μὴ προκατῄκιστο τὰ σώματα, τὸ βάρος “ οὐκ ἔφερον τῆς συγκλείσεως, ἀλλʼ ἔνδον ἐναπέθνησκον.
hoi men gar basanisthentes pikrōs, “hōste dokein mēde tēs therapeias pasēs tychontas “eti zēsai dynasthai, paremenon en tę̄ heirktę̄ erēmoi “men tēs para anthrōpōn epimeleias, anarrōnny- “menoi de hypo kyriou kai endynamoumenoi kai sō- “mati kai psychę̄, kai tous loipous parormōntes kai “paramythoumenoi. hoi de nearoi kai arti syneilēm- “menoi, hōn mē prokatę̄kisto ta sōmata, to baros “ ouk epheron tēs synkleiseōs, allʼ endon enapethnēskon.
Some, who had been so bitterly tortured that it seemed they could not live even with every care, remained in the prison, bereft of human attention but revived by the Lord and strengthened in body and soul, and they encouraged and comforted the rest. But the young ones, recently arrested, whose bodies had not been hardened by earlier ill-treatment, could not bear the burden of confinement and died inside.
Notes and citation
Summary: Some badly tortured prisoners survived by God's strength, while newly arrested ones died in the prison.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom, Persecution
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.28 (Dindorf 4:189–190; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-28).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.29Dindorf 4:190
ὁ δὲ μακάριος Ποθεινὸς, ὁ τὴν διακο- ‘νίαν τῆς ἐπισκοπῆς ἐν Λουγδούνῳ πεπιστευμένος, “ὑπὲρ τὰ ἐνενήκοντα ἔτη τῆς ἡλικίας γεγονὼς, καὶ “πάνυ ἀσθενὴς τῷ σώματι, μόλις μὲν ἐμπνέων διὰ τὴν προκειμένην σωματικὴν ἀσθένειαν, ὑπὸ δὲ προθυμίας πνεύματος ἀναρρωννύμενος διὰ τὴν ἐγκειμένην τῆς μαρτυρίας ἐπιθυμίαν, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐπὶ τὸ “βῆμα ἐσύρετο, τοῦ μὲν σώματος καὶ ὑπὸ τοῦ γήρως καὶ ὑπὸ τῆς νόσου λελυμένου, τηρουμένης δὲ τῆς “ψυχῆς ἐν αὐτῷ, ἵνα διʼ αὐτῆς Χριστὸς θριαμβεύσῃ.
ho de makarios Potheinos, ho tēn diako- ‘nian tēs episkopēs en Lougdounǭ pepisteumenos, “hyper ta enenēkonta etē tēs hēlikias gegonōs, kai “pany asthenēs tǭ sōmati, molis men empneōn dia tēn prokeimenēn sōmatikēn astheneian, hypo de prothymias pneumatos anarrōnnymenos dia tēn enkeimenēn tēs martyrias epithymian, kai autos epi to “bēma esyreto, tou men sōmatos kai hypo tou gērōs kai hypo tēs nosou lelymenou, tēroumenēs de tēs “psychēs en autǭ, hina diʼ autēs Christos thriambeusę̄.
The blessed Pothinus, who had been entrusted with the ministry of the episcopate in Lyons, being over ninety years of age and very weak in body, scarcely breathing because of the bodily weakness that lay upon him, yet strengthened by eagerness of spirit through his pressing desire for martyrdom, was himself also dragged to the tribunal. His body was worn out by old age and disease, but his soul was preserved in him, so that through it Christ might triumph.
Notes and citation
Summary: Pothinus, the more than ninety-year-old bishop of Lyons, was dragged to the tribunal despite his frailty.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons. The digital text repeats ὑπὲρ (“over over”).
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (repeated word in the digital text): ὑπὲρ ὑπὲρ → ὑπὲρ.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom, Church office
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.29 (Dindorf 4:190; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-29).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.30Dindorf 4:190
ὃς ὑπὸ τῶν στρατιωτῶν ἐπὶ τὸ βῆμα κομισθεὶς, παραπεμπόντων αὐτὸν τῶν πολιτικῶν ἐξουσιῶν καὶ “παντὸς τοῦ πλήθους, ἐπιβοήσεις παντοίας ποιουμένων, ὡς αὐτοῦ ὄντος τοῦ κυρίου, ἀπεδίδου τὴν καλὴν μαρτυρίαν.
hos hypo tōn stratiōtōn epi to bēma komistheis, parapempontōn auton tōn politikōn exousiōn kai “pantos tou plēthous, epiboēseis pantoias poioumenōn, hōs autou ontos tou kyriou, apedidou tēn kalēn martyrian.
He was brought to the tribunal by the soldiers, escorted by the city authorities and the whole multitude, who raised every kind of shout as though he were Christ himself; and he gave the good testimony.
1 Tim 6:13 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Amid the shouts of the crowd, Pothinus bore good witness before the tribunal.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons; “the good testimony” echoes 1 Tim 6:13.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.30 (Dindorf 4:190; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-30).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.31Dindorf 4:190
ἀνεταζόμενος δὲ ὑπὸ τοῦ ἡγεμόνος τίς εἴη Χριστιανῶν ὁ θεὸς, ἔφη ῾ ἐὰν ᾖς ἄξιος, γνώσῃ.’ ἐντεῦθεν δὴ ἀφειδῶς ἐσύρετο, καὶ “ποικίλας ἔπασχε πληγὰς, τῶν μὲν σύνεγγυς χερσὶ καὶ ποσὶν ἐνυβριζόντων παντοίως, μηδὲ τὴν ἡλικίαν αἰδουμένων αὐτοῦ, τῶν δὲ μακρὰν, ὃ μετὰ χεῖρας ἕκαστος εἶχεν, εἰς αὐτὸν ἀκοντιζόντων, πάντων δὲ ἡγουμένων μεγάλως πλημμελεῖν καὶ ἀσεβεῖν, εἴ τις ἀπολειφθείη τῆς εἰς αὐτὸν ἀσελγείας· καὶ γὰρ τοὺς θεοὺς ἑαυτῶν ᾤοντο οὕτως ἐκδικήσειν. καὶ μόγις ἐμπνέων ἐρρίφη εἰς τὴν εἱρκτὴν, καὶ μετὰ δύο ἡμέρας ἀπέψυξεν.
anetazomenos de hypo tou hēgemonos tis eiē Christianōn ho theos, ephē ῾ ean ę̄s axios, gnōsę̄.’ enteuthen dē apheidōs esyreto, kai “poikilas epasche plēgas, tōn men synengys chersi kai posin enybrizontōn pantoiōs, mēde tēn hēlikian aidoumenōn autou, tōn de makran, ho meta cheiras hekastos eichen, eis auton akontizontōn, pantōn de hēgoumenōn megalōs plēmmelein kai asebein, ei tis apoleiphtheiē tēs eis auton aselgeias; kai gar tous theous heautōn ǭonto houtōs ekdikēsein. kai mogis empneōn erriphē eis tēn heirktēn, kai meta dyo hēmeras apepsyxen.
When the governor asked him who the God of the Christians was, he said, “If you are worthy, you will know.” Then he was dragged about unsparingly and suffered all kinds of blows: those near him insulted him in every way with hands and feet, not even respecting his age, while those far off hurled at him whatever each had in hand; and all thought it a great offence and impiety if anyone fell short in violence against him, for they supposed that in this way they would avenge their gods. Scarcely breathing, he was thrown into prison, and after two days he breathed his last.
Notes and citation
Summary: Pothinus answered the governor boldly, was beaten by the mob, and died in prison two days later.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.31 (Dindorf 4:190; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-31).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.32Dindorf 4:190
ἐνταῦθα δὴ μεγάλη τις οἰκονομία τοῦ θεοῦ ἐγίνετο, καὶ ἔλεος ἀμέτρητον “ἀνεφαίνετο Ἰησοῦ, σπανίως μὲν ἐν τῇ ἀδελφότητι γεγονὸς, μὴ ἀπολειπόμενον δὲ τῆς τέχνης τοῦ Χριστοῦ.
entautha dē megalē tis oikonomia tou theou egineto, kai eleos ametrēton “anephaineto Iēsou, spaniōs men en tę̄ adelphotēti gegonos, mē apoleipomenon de tēs technēs tou Christou.
Then a great dispensation of God took place, and the immeasurable mercy of Jesus was revealed, such as has rarely happened in the brotherhood, yet not beyond the skill of Christ.
Notes and citation
Summary: God then showed remarkable mercy in the church.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.32 (Dindorf 4:190; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-32).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.33Dindorf 4:190–191
οἱ γὰρ κατὰ τὴν πρώτην σύλληψιν ἔξαρνοι “γενόμενοι συνεκλείοντο καὶ αὐτοὶ καὶ μετεῖχον τῶν “δεινῶν· οὐδὲ γὰρ ἐν τῷ καιρῷ τούτʼ ᾦ ὄφελός τι αὐ- “τοῖς ἡ ἐξάρνησις ἐγίνετο· ἀλλʼ οἶ μὲν ὁμολογοῦντες “ὅ καὶ ἦσαν, συνεκλείοντο ὡς Χριστιανοὶ, μηδεμιᾶς “ἄλλης αὐτοῖς αἰτίας ἐπιφερομένης, οὗτοι δὲ λοιπὸν ὡς ἀνδροφόνοι καὶ μιαροὶ κατείχοντο, διπλότερον “παρὰ τοὺς λοιποὺς κολαζόμενοι.
hoi gar kata tēn prōtēn syllēpsin exarnoi “genomenoi synekleionto kai autoi kai meteichon tōn “deinōn; oude gar en tǭ kairǭ toutʼ ǭ ophelos ti au- “tois hē exarnēsis egineto; allʼ oi men homologountes “ho kai ēsan, synekleionto hōs Christianoi, mēdemias “allēs autois aitias epipheromenēs, houtoi de loipon hōs androphonoi kai miaroi kateichonto, diploteron “para tous loipous kolazomenoi.
For those who had denied at the first arrest were also imprisoned and shared the sufferings; for at this time their denial was of no benefit to them. Those who confessed what they were were imprisoned as Christians, no other charge being brought against them; but these were now held as murderers and defiled persons, and were punished twice as much as the rest.
Notes and citation
Summary: Those who had denied Christ gained nothing: they were held as murderers and suffered more than the confessors.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons. The deniers were now held on the criminal charges (cannibalism, incest) that confession of the name alone did not carry.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom, Persecution
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.33 (Dindorf 4:190–191; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-33).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.34Dindorf 4:191
ἐκείνους μὲν “γὰρ ἐπεκούφιζεν ἡ χαρὰ τῆς μαρτυρίας, καὶ ἡ ἐλ- “πὶς τῶν ἐπηγγελμένων, καὶ ἡ πρὸς τὸν Χριστὸν “ἀγάπη, καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ πατρικὸν, τούτους δὲ τὸ “συνειδὸς μεγάλως ἐτιμωρεῖτο, ὥστε καὶ παρὰ τοῖς “λοιποῖς ἅπασι κατὰ τὰς παρόδους διαδήλους τὰς “ὄψεις αὐτῶν εἶναι.
ekeinous men “gar epekouphizen hē chara tēs martyrias, kai hē el- “pis tōn epēngelmenōn, kai hē pros ton Christon “agapē, kai to pneuma to patrikon, toutous de to “syneidos megalōs etimōreito, hōste kai para tois “loipois hapasi kata tas parodous diadēlous tas “opseis autōn einai.
For the former were lightened by the joy of martyrdom, the hope of the promises, love for Christ, and the Spirit of the Father; but the latter were greatly tormented by conscience, so that as they passed by their faces were distinguishable from all the rest.
Notes and citation
Summary: The confessors were upheld by joy and the Spirit; the deniers were tormented by conscience.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.34 (Dindorf 4:191; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-34).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.35Dindorf 4:191
οἶ μὲν γὰρ ἱλαροὶ προῄεσαν, “δόξης καὶ χάριτος πολλῆς ταῖς ὄψεσιν αὐτῶν συγκε- “κραμένης, ὥστε καὶ τὰ δεσμὰ κόσμον εὐπρεπῆ πε- “ρικεῖσθαι αὐτοῖς, ὡς νύμφῃ κεκοσμημένῃ ἐν “σωτοῖς χρυσοῖς πεποικιλμένοις, τὴν εὐωδίαν ὀδω- “δότες ἅμα τὴν Χριστοῦ, ὥστε ἐνίους δόξαι καὶ μύρῳ “κοσμικῷ κεχρῖσθαι αὐτούς· οἶ δὲ κατηφεῖς καὶ τα- “πεινοὶ καὶ δυσειδεῖς καὶ πάσης ἀσχημοσύνης ἀνά- “πλεοι, προσέτι δὲ καὶ ὑπὸ τῶν ἐθνῶν ὀνειδιζόμε- “νοι ὡς ἀγεννεῖς καὶ ἄνανδροι, ἀνδροφόνων μὲν ἐγ- “κλήματα ἔχοντες, ἀπολωλεκότες δὲ τὴν πάντιμον “καὶ ἔνδοξον καὶ ζωοποιὸν προσηγορίαν. ταῦτα δὲ “οἱ λοιποὶ θεωροῦντες ἐστηρίχθησαν, καὶ οἱ συλλαμ- “ βανόμενοι ἀδιστάκτως ὡμολόγουν, μηδὲ ἔννοιαν “ἔχοντες διαβολικοῦ λογισμοῦ.”
oi men gar hilaroi proę̄esan, “doxēs kai charitos pollēs tais opsesin autōn synke- “kramenēs, hōste kai ta desma kosmon euprepē pe- “rikeisthai autois, hōs nymphę̄ kekosmēmenę̄ en “sōtois chrysois pepoikilmenois, tēn euōdian odō- “dotes hama tēn Christou, hōste enious doxai kai myrǭ “kosmikǭ kechristhai autous; oi de katēpheis kai ta- “peinoi kai dyseideis kai pasēs aschēmosynēs ana- “pleoi, proseti de kai hypo tōn ethnōn oneidizome- “noi hōs agenneis kai anandroi, androphonōn men eg- “klēmata echontes, apolōlekotes de tēn pantimon “kai endoxon kai zōopoion prosēgorian. tauta de “hoi loipoi theōrountes estērichthēsan, kai hoi syllam- “ banomenoi adistaktōs hōmologoun, mēde ennoian “echontes diabolikou logismou.”
The former went out joyful, glory and much grace mingled in their faces, so that even their chains lay upon them like a becoming ornament, as on a bride adorned with embroidered golden fringes, and they breathed at the same time the fragrance of Christ, so that some thought they had been anointed with worldly perfume. The latter were downcast, humbled, unsightly, and full of every disgrace, and were besides reproached by the Gentiles as ignoble and cowardly, bearing the charge of murderers and having lost the all-honourable, glorious, and life-giving name. When the rest saw this they were strengthened, and those who were arrested confessed without hesitation, not even giving a thought to the devil's reasoning.”
Ps 45:13 (44:14 LXX) (allusion, medium confidence) · 2 Cor 2:15 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The confessors went out radiant like a bride, the deniers in disgrace, and this sight strengthened others to confess.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons, echoing Ps 45:13–14 (44:14–15 LXX) and 2 Cor 2:15. The digital text reads σωτοῖς for κροσσωτοῖς (“fringes”).
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.35 (Dindorf 4:191; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-35).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.36Dindorf 4:191–192
τούτοις μεταξύ τινα ἐπειπόντες αὖθις ἐπιφέρουσι· “μετὰ ταῦτα “λοιπὸν εἰς πᾶν εἶδος διῃρεῖτο τὰ μαρτύρια τῆς ἐξό- “δου αὐτῶν. ἐκ διαφόρων γὰρ χρωμάτων καὶ παν- “τοίων ἀνθῶν ἔνα πλέξαντες στέφανον προσήνεγκαν “τῷ πατρί. ἐχρῆν γοῦν τοὺς γενναίους ἀθλητὰς, “ποικίλον ὑπομείναντας ἀγῶνα καὶ μεγάλως νική- “σαντας, ἀπολαβεῖν τὸν μέγαν τῆς ἀφθαρσίας στέ- “φανον.
toutois metaxy tina epeipontes authis epipherousi; “meta tauta “loipon eis pan eidos dię̄reito ta martyria tēs exo- “dou autōn. ek diaphorōn gar chrōmatōn kai pan- “toiōn anthōn ena plexantes stephanon prosēnenkan “tǭ patri. echrēn goun tous gennaious athlētas, “poikilon hypomeinantas agōna kai megalōs nikē- “santas, apolabein ton megan tēs aphtharsias ste- “phanon.
After saying some other things in between, they continue: “After this, then, the martyrdoms of their departure were divided into every form. For weaving one crown from different colours and flowers of every kind, they presented it to the Father. It was fitting indeed that the noble athletes, having endured a varied contest and conquered gloriously, should receive the great crown of incorruption.
1 Cor 9:25 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The martyrs' various deaths were like a crown of many flowers offered to the Father.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons; cf. 1 Cor 9:25.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.36 (Dindorf 4:191–192; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-36).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.37Dindorf 4:192
ὁ μὲν οὖν Μάτουρος καὶ ὁ Σάγκτος καὶ “ἡ Βλανδῖνα καὶ Ἄτταλος ἤγοντο ἐπὶ τὰ θηρία εἰς τὸ “δημόσιον καὶ εἰς τὸ κοινὸν τῶν ἐθνῶν τῆς “πίας θέαμα, ἐπίτηδες τῆς τῶν θηριομαχιῶν ἡμέρας “διὰ τοὺς ἡμετέρους διδομένης.
ho men oun Matouros kai ho Sanktos kai “hē Blandina kai Attalos ēgonto epi ta thēria eis to “dēmosion kai eis to koinon tōn ethnōn tēs “pias theama, epitēdes tēs tōn thēriomachiōn hēmeras “dia tous hēmeterous didomenēs.
Maturus, then, and Sanctus and Blandina and Attalus were led to the wild beasts in the amphitheatre, to the public spectacle of the Gentiles' inhumanity, a day of fighting with beasts being given expressly on account of our people.
Notes and citation
Summary: Maturus, Sanctus, Blandina, and Attalus were brought to the beasts in the amphitheatre.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons. Words at line beginnings are lost in this and the following sections of the digital text (e.g. “…πίας” for ἀπανθρωπίας, “inhumanity”); they are translated from the evident sense.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom, Persecution
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.37 (Dindorf 4:192; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-37).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.38Dindorf 4:192
καὶ ὁ μὲν “ρος καὶ ὁ Σάγκτος αὖθις διῄεσαν ἐν τῷ “διὰ πάσης κολάσεως, ὡς μηδὲν ὅλως “τες, μᾶλλον δὲ ὡς διὰ πλειόνων ἤδη κλήρων ἐκβε- “βιακότες τὸν ἀντίπαλον, καὶ περὶ τοῦ στεφάνου “τοῦ τὸν ἀγῶνα ἔχοντες, ὑπέφερον πάλιν τὰς “δους τῶν μαστίγων τὰς ἐκεῖσε εἰθισμένας, καὶ ἄπο τῶν θηρίων ἑλκηθμοὺς, καὶ πάνθʼ ὅσα μαινό- “μενος ὁ δῆμος ἄλλοι ἀλλαχόθεν ἐπεβόων καὶ ἐπεκε- λεύοντο, καὶ ἐπὶ πᾶσι τὴν σιδηρᾶν καθέδραν, ἐφʼ “ ἧς τηγανιζόμενα τὰ σώματα κνίσης αὐτοὺς ἐνεφόρει. “
kai ho men “ros kai ho Sanktos authis dię̄esan en tǭ “dia pasēs kolaseōs, hōs mēden holōs “tes, mallon de hōs dia pleionōn ēdē klērōn ekbe- “biakotes ton antipalon, kai peri tou stephanou “tou ton agōna echontes, hypepheron palin tas “dous tōn mastigōn tas ekeise eithismenas, kai apo tōn thēriōn helkēthmous, kai panthʼ hosa maino- “menos ho dēmos alloi allachothen epeboōn kai epeke- leuonto, kai epi pasi tēn sidēran kathedran, ephʼ “ hēs tēganizomena ta sōmata knisēs autous enephorei. “
Maturus and Sanctus again passed through every punishment in the amphitheatre, as though they had suffered nothing at all before, or rather as though they had already overcome the adversary in many bouts and were now contending for the crown itself. They bore again the gauntlets of whips customary there, the mauling by the beasts, and everything the maddened people, some from one side and some from another, shouted for and demanded, and above all the iron chair, on which their bodies were roasted and filled them with the reek.
Notes and citation
Summary: Maturus and Sanctus endured scourging, the beasts, and the red-hot iron chair.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons. Several words are lost at line beginnings in the digital text; the sense is clear.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.38 (Dindorf 4:192; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-38).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.39Dindorf 4:192
οἶ δʼ οὐδʼ οὕτως ἔληγον, ἀλλʼ ἔτι καὶ μᾶλλον “ ἐξεμαίνοντο, βουλόμενοι νικῆσαι τὴν ἐκείνων ὑπο- “μονήν. καὶ οὐδʼ ὣς παρὰ Σάγκτου ἕτερόν τι ἤκου- “σαν παρʼ ἣν ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς εἴθιστο λέγειντῆς “φωνήν.
oi dʼ oudʼ houtōs elēgon, allʼ eti kai mallon “ exemainonto, boulomenoi nikēsai tēn ekeinōn hypo- “monēn. kai oudʼ hōs para Sanktou heteron ti ēkou- “san parʼ hēn apʼ archēs eithisto legeintēs “phōnēn.
Even so the crowd did not stop, but raged still more, wishing to conquer their endurance. Yet even so they heard nothing else from Sanctus except the confession he had been accustomed to say from the beginning.
Notes and citation
Summary: The crowd raged on, but Sanctus said nothing but his confession.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons. The end of the section is garbled in the digital text (“λέγειντῆς φωνήν”).
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.39 (Dindorf 4:192; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-39).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.40Dindorf 4:192
οὗτοι μὲν οὖν, διʼ ἀγῶνος μεγάλου ἐπι- “πολὺ παραμενούσης αὐτῶν τῆς ψυχῆς, τοὔσχατον ‘ ἐτύθησαν διὰ τῆς ἡμέρας ἐκείνης, ἀντὶ πάσης τῆς “ἐν τοῖς μονομαχίοις ποικιλίας αὐτοὶ θέαμα “νοι τῷ κόσμῳ.
houtoi men oun, diʼ agōnos megalou epi- “poly paramenousēs autōn tēs psychēs, touschaton ‘ etythēsan dia tēs hēmeras ekeinēs, anti pasēs tēs “en tois monomachiois poikilias autoi theama “noi tǭ kosmǭ.
These, then, after a great contest, their life lasting a long time, were finally sacrificed that day, having been made themselves a spectacle to the world in place of all the variety of the gladiatorial combats.
1 Cor 4:9 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Maturus and Sanctus were finally killed, made a spectacle to the world.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons, echoing 1 Cor 4:9.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.40 (Dindorf 4:192; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-40).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.41Dindorf 4:192–193
ἡ δὲ Βλανδῖνα ἐπὶ ξύλου “σθεῖσα προύκειτο βορὰ τῶν εἰσβαλλομένων “ἣ καὶ διὰ τοῦ βλέπεσθαι σταυροῦ σχήματι διὰ τῆς εὐτόνου προσευχῆς πολλὴν προθυμίαν “τοῖς ἀγωνιζομένοις ἐνεποίει, βλεπόντων αὐτῶν ἑ “τῷ ἀγῶνί καὶ τοῖς ἔξωθεν ὀφθαλμοῖς διὰ τῆς τὸν ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν ἐσταυρωμένον, ἔνα πείσῃ τοὺς “πιστεύοντας εἰς αὐτὸν, ὅτι πᾶς ὁ ὑπὲρ τῆς Χριστοῦ “δόξης παθὼν τὴν κοινωνίαν ἀεὶ ἔχει μετὰ τοῦ ζῶν- “τος θεοῦ.
hē de Blandina epi xylou “stheisa proukeito bora tōn eisballomenōn “hē kai dia tou blepesthai staurou schēmati dia tēs eutonou proseuchēs pollēn prothymian “tois agōnizomenois enepoiei, blepontōn autōn he “tǭ agōni kai tois exōthen ophthalmois dia tēs ton hyper autōn estaurōmenon, ena peisę̄ tous “pisteuontas eis auton, hoti pas ho hyper tēs Christou “doxēs pathōn tēn koinōnian aei echei meta tou zōn- “tos theou.
Blandina was hung on a stake and exposed as food for the beasts let loose on her. Because she was seen hanging in the form of a cross, and through her fervent prayer, she inspired great eagerness in those contending, since in the contest they saw, even with their outward eyes, in their sister the one who was crucified for them, to persuade those who believe in him that everyone who suffers for the glory of Christ has fellowship for ever with the living God.
Notes and citation
Summary: Blandina, hung as on a cross, inspired the others, who saw Christ crucified in her.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons. Words are lost in the digital text (“ἑ[ν τῇ ἀδελφῇ]” and others), translated from the sense.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom, Christology, Prayer
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.41 (Dindorf 4:192–193; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-41).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.42Dindorf 4:193
καὶ μηδενὸς ἁψαμένου τότε τῶν θηρίων “αὐτῆς, καθαιρεθεῖσα ἀπὸ τοῦ ξύλου ἀνελήφθη πάλιν εἰς τὴν εἱρκτὴν, εἰς ἄλλον ἀγῶνα τηρουμένη, “ἔνα διὰ πλειόνων γυμνασμάτων νικήσασα τῷ μὲν ‘σκολιῷ ὄφει ἀπαραίτητον ποιήσῃ τὴν καταδίκην, “προτρέψηται δὲ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς ἡ μικρὰ καὶ ἀσθενὴς “καὶ εὐκαταφρόνητος, μέγαν καὶ “ἀθλητὴν Χριστὸν ἐνδεδυμένη, διὰ πολλῶν κλήρων ἐκβιάσασα τὸν ἀντικείμενον, καὶ διʼ ἀγῶνος τὸν τῆς “ἀφθαρσίας στεψαμένη στέφανον.
kai mēdenos hapsamenou tote tōn thēriōn “autēs, kathairetheisa apo tou xylou anelēphthē palin eis tēn heirktēn, eis allon agōna tēroumenē, “ena dia pleionōn gymnasmatōn nikēsasa tǭ men ‘skoliǭ ophei aparaitēton poiēsę̄ tēn katadikēn, “protrepsētai de tous adelphous hē mikra kai asthenēs “kai eukataphronētos, megan kai “athlētēn Christon endedymenē, dia pollōn klērōn ekbiasasa ton antikeimenon, kai diʼ agōnos ton tēs “aphtharsias stepsamenē stephanon.
And since none of the beasts touched her then, she was taken down from the stake and brought back to prison, kept for another contest, so that, conquering in more exercises, she might make the condemnation of the crooked serpent irrevocable and encourage the brothers — she, small and weak and despised, who had put on Christ, the great and invincible athlete, and had overcome the adversary in many bouts and through the contest had been crowned with the crown of incorruption.
Isa 27:1 (allusion, high confidence) · Gal 3:27 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Untouched by the beasts, Blandina was kept for a later contest, a weak woman clothed with Christ the invincible athlete.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons. “The crooked serpent” is from Isa 27:1; “put on Christ” echoes Gal 3:27. A word before ἀθλητὴν (probably ἀκαταγώνιστον, “invincible”) is lost in the digital text.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.42 (Dindorf 4:193; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-42).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.43Dindorf 4:193
ὁ δὲ Ἄτταλος ‘καὶ αὐτὸς μεγάλως ἐξαιτηθεὶς ὑπὸ τοῦ ὄχλου καὶ γὰρ ἦν ὀνομαστός) ἕτοιμος εἰσῆλθεν ἀγωνιστὴς διὰ τὸ “εὐσυνείδητον, ἐπειδὴ γνησίως ἐν τῇ Χριστιανῇ συν- “τάξει γεγυμνασμένος ἦν, καὶ ἀεὶ μάρτυς ἐγεγόνει “παρʼ ἡμῖν ἀληθείας.
ho de Attalos ‘kai autos megalōs exaitētheis hypo tou ochlou kai gar ēn onomastos) hetoimos eisēlthen agōnistēs dia to “eusyneidēton, epeidē gnēsiōs en tę̄ Christianę̄ syn- “taxei gegymnasmenos ēn, kai aei martys egegonei “parʼ hēmin alētheias.
Attalus too, loudly demanded by the crowd (for he was well known), entered ready as a contender because of his good conscience, since he had been genuinely trained in the Christian discipline and had always been a witness of the truth among us.
Notes and citation
Summary: The well-known Attalus was demanded by the crowd and entered the arena ready.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.43 (Dindorf 4:193; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-43).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.44Dindorf 4:193
καὶ περιαχθεὶς κύκλῳ τοῦ “ἀμφιθεάτρου, πίνακος αὐτὸν προάγοντος ἐν ᾧ ἐγέ- “γραπτο ‘οὗτός ἐστιν Ἄτταλος ὁ “νόςʼ, καὶ τοῦ δήμου σφόδρα σφριγῶντος ἐπʼ αὐτῷ, ‘ μαθὼν ὁ ἡγεμὼν ὅτι Ῥωμαῖός ἐστιν, ἐκέλευσεν αὐτὸν ἀναληφθῆναι μετὰ καὶ τῶν λοιπῶν τῶν ἐν τῇ “εἱρκτῇ ὄντων, περὶ ὧν ἐπέστειλε τῷ Καίσαρι, καὶ περιέμενε τὴν ἀπόφασιν τὴν ἀπʼ ἐκείνου.
kai periachtheis kyklǭ tou “amphitheatrou, pinakos auton proagontos en hǭ ege- “grapto ‘houtos estin Attalos ho “nosʼ, kai tou dēmou sphodra sphrigōntos epʼ autǭ, ‘ mathōn ho hēgemōn hoti Rhōmaios estin, ekeleusen auton analēphthēnai meta kai tōn loipōn tōn en tę̄ “heirktę̄ ontōn, peri hōn epesteile tǭ Kaisari, kai periemene tēn apophasin tēn apʼ ekeinou.
He was led round the amphitheatre with a placard carried before him on which was written in Latin, “This is Attalus the Christian,” and the people were swelling with fury against him; but the governor, learning that he was a Roman, ordered him to be taken back with the rest who were in prison, about whom he had written to Caesar, and he awaited his decision.
Notes and citation
Summary: Attalus was paraded with a placard, but as a Roman citizen he was returned to prison pending the emperor's decision.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons. The words “in Latin” and “Christian” are partly lost in the digital text and supplied from the sense.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (wrong accent in the digital text): κύκλῳ τοὐ → κύκλῳ τοῦ.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom, Persecution
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.44 (Dindorf 4:193; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-44).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.45Dindorf 4:193
ὁ δὲ διὰ μέσου καιρὸς οὐκ ἀργὸς αὐτοῖς οὐδὲ ἄκαρπος ἐγίνετο, ἀλλὰ διὰ τῆς ὑπομονῆς αὐτῶν τὸ ἀμέτρητον ἔλεος ἀνεφαίνετο Χριστοῦ. διὰ γὰρ τῶν ζώντων ἐζωοποιοῦντο τὰ νεκρὰ, καὶ μάρτυρες τοῖς μὴ μάρτυσιν ἐχαρίζοντο, καὶ ἐνεγίνετο πολλὴ χαρὰ τῇ παρθένῳ μητρὶ, οὓς ὡς νεκροὺς ἐξέτρωσε, τούτους ζῶντας τὰς ἀπολαμβανούσῃ.
ho de dia mesou kairos ouk argos autois oude akarpos egineto, alla dia tēs hypomonēs autōn to ametrēton eleos anephaineto Christou. dia gar tōn zōntōn ezōopoiounto ta nekra, kai martyres tois mē martysin echarizonto, kai enegineto pollē chara tę̄ parthenǭ mētri, hous hōs nekrous exetrōse, toutous zōntas tas apolambanousę̄.
The intervening time was not idle or fruitless for them, but through their endurance the immeasurable mercy of Christ was revealed. For through the living the dead were made alive, and martyrs showed grace to those who were not martyrs, and there was great joy for the virgin mother in receiving back alive those whom she had miscarried as dead.
Notes and citation
Summary: Meanwhile the confessors restored those who had denied, and the church, the virgin mother, rejoiced to receive them back alive.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons. The “virgin mother” is the church.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.45 (Dindorf 4:193; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-45).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.46Dindorf 4:193–194
διʼ ἐκείνων γὰρ οἱ πλείους τῶν ἠρνημένων ἀνεμητροῦντο καὶ ἀνεκυίσκοντο καὶ “ἀνεζωπυροῦντο καὶ ἐμάνθανον ὁμολογεῖν, καὶ ζῶν- “τες ἤδη καὶ τετονωμένοι προσῄεσαν τῷ βήματι, ἐγ- “γλυκαίνοντος τοῦ τὸν μὲν θάνατον τοῦ ἁμαρτωλοῦ “μὴ βουλομένου, ἐπὶ δὲ τὴν μετάνοιαν χρηστευομένου “θεοῦ, ἵνα καὶ πάλιν ἐπερωτηθῶσιν ὑπὸ τοῦ ἡγεμό- “νος.
diʼ ekeinōn gar hoi pleious tōn ērnēmenōn anemētrounto kai anekuiskonto kai “anezōpyrounto kai emanthanon homologein, kai zōn- “tes ēdē kai tetonōmenoi prosę̄esan tǭ bēmati, eg- “glykainontos tou ton men thanaton tou hamartōlou “mē boulomenou, epi de tēn metanoian chrēsteuomenou “theou, hina kai palin eperōtēthōsin hypo tou hēgemo- “nos.
For through them most of those who had denied were conceived again in the womb, quickened again, and rekindled, and learned to confess; and now alive and braced they came to the tribunal, God, who does not desire the death of the sinner but is kind toward repentance, making it sweet for them, so that they might again be questioned by the governor.
Ezek 33:11 (allusion, high confidence) · Ezek 18:23 (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Most of those who had denied were restored and came back to confess before the governor.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons, alluding to Ezek 18:23 and 33:11.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.46 (Dindorf 4:193–194; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-46).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.47Dindorf 4:194
ἐπιστείλαντος γὰρ τοῦ Καίσαρος τοὺς μὲν “ἀποτυμπανισθῆναι, εἰ δέ τινες ἀρνοῖντο, τούτους “ἀπολυθῆναι, τῆς ἐνθάδε πανηγύρεως (ἔστι δὲ αὕτη “πολυάνθρωπος ἐκ πάντων τῶν ἐθνῶν συνερχομένων “εἰς αὐτήν) ἀρχομένης συνεστάναι ἀνῆγεν ἐπὶ τὸ “βῆμα θεατρίζων τοὺς μακαρίους καὶ ἐμπομπεύων “τοῖς ὄχλοις. διὸ καὶ πάλιν ἀνήταζε, καὶ ὅσοι μὲν “ἐδόκουν πολιτείαν ῾Ρωμαίων ἐσχηκέναι, τούτων ἀπέ- “τεμνε τὰς κεφαλὰς, τοὺς δὲ λοιποὺς ἔπεμπεν εἰς “θηρία.
episteilantos gar tou Kaisaros tous men “apotympanisthēnai, ei de tines arnointo, toutous “apolythēnai, tēs enthade panēgyreōs (esti de hautē “polyanthrōpos ek pantōn tōn ethnōn synerchomenōn “eis autēn) archomenēs synestanai anēgen epi to “bēma theatrizōn tous makarious kai empompeuōn “tois ochlois. dio kai palin anētaze, kai hosoi men “edokoun politeian ῾Rōmaiōn eschēkenai, toutōn ape- “temne tas kephalas, tous de loipous epempen eis “thēria.
For Caesar had written that they should be beaten to death, but that if any denied, these should be released. And when the local festival was beginning (it is very crowded, with people coming to it from all the nations), the governor brought the blessed ones up to the tribunal, making a theatrical show and a parade of them for the crowds. So he examined them again, and those who seemed to have Roman citizenship he beheaded, and the rest he sent to the beasts.
Notes and citation
Summary: Following the emperor's rescript, the governor re-examined the prisoners at the great festival, beheading citizens and sending the rest to the beasts.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons. The festival is the annual assembly of the Gallic provinces at Lyons (1 August).
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (Latin letter misread for τ in the digital text; wrong accent in the digital text): πολιIείαν → πολιτείαν; ἐπιστείλαντος γὰρ τοὐ → ἐπιστείλαντος γὰρ τοῦ.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom, Persecution
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.47 (Dindorf 4:194; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-47).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.48Dindorf 4:194
ἐδοξάζετο δὲ μεγάλως ὁ Χριστὸς ἐπὶ τοῖς “πρότερον ἀρνησαμένοις, τότε παρὰ τὴν τῶν ἐθνῶν “ὑπόνοιαν ὁμολογοῦσι. καὶ γὰρ ἰδία̣ οὗτοι ἀνητά- “ζοντο, ὡς δῆθεν ἀπολυθησόμενοι, καὶ ὁμολογοῦντες “προσετίθεντο τῷ τῶν μαρτύρων κλήρῳ. ἔμειναν δὲ ἔξω οἱ μηδὲ ἴχνος πώποτε πίστεως, μηδὲ αἴσθησιν “ἐνδύματος νυμφικοῦ, μηδὲ ἔννοιαν φόβου θεοῦ “σχόντες, ἀλλὰ καὶ διὰ τῆς ἀναστροφῆς αὐτῶν βλασ- “φημοῦντες τὴν ὁδὸν, τουτέστιν οἱ υἱοὶ τῆς ἀπω- “λείας.
edoxazeto de megalōs ho Christos epi tois “proteron arnēsamenois, tote para tēn tōn ethnōn “hyponoian homologousi. kai gar idia houtoi anēta- “zonto, hōs dēthen apolythēsomenoi, kai homologountes “prosetithento tǭ tōn martyrōn klērǭ. emeinan de exō hoi mēde ichnos pōpote pisteōs, mēde aisthēsin “endymatos nymphikou, mēde ennoian phobou theou “schontes, alla kai dia tēs anastrophēs autōn blas- “phēmountes tēn hodon, toutestin hoi huioi tēs apō- “leias.
Christ was greatly glorified in those who had formerly denied, since then, contrary to the Gentiles' expectation, they confessed. For they were examined separately, supposedly to be released, and confessing they were added to the lot of the martyrs. Those remained outside who had never had any trace of faith, nor any sense of the wedding garment, nor any thought of the fear of God, but through their conduct blasphemed the Way, that is, the sons of perdition.
Matt 22:11 (allusion, high confidence) · 2 Pet 2:2 (echo, medium confidence) · 2 Thess 2:3 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Most former deniers now confessed and were martyred; only those without any real faith stayed outside.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons, alluding to Matt 22:11–12, 2 Pet 2:2, and John 17:12 / 2 Thess 2:3.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (misread letter in the digital text): ιουτέστιν → τουτέστιν.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.48 (Dindorf 4:194; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-48).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.49Dindorf 4:194–195
οἱ δὲ λοιποὶ πάντες τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ προσετέ- “θησαν, ὧν καὶ ἀνεταζομένων Ἀλέξανδρός τις, Φρὺξ “μὲν τὸ γένος, ἰατρὸς δὲ τὴν ἐπιστήμην, πολλοῖς “αἔτεσιν ἐν ταῖς Γαλλίαις διατρίψας, καὶ γνωστὸς “σχεδὸν πᾶσι διὰ τὴν πρὸς τὸν θεὸν ἀγάπην καὶ “παρρησίαν τοῦ λόγου (ἦν γὰρ καὶ οὐκ ἄμοιρος ἀπο- “στολικοῦ χαρίσματος), παρεστὼς τῷ βήματι, καὶ “νεύματι προτρέπων αὐτοὺς πρὸς τὴν ὁμολογίαν, “φανερὸς ἦν τοῖς περιεστηκόσι τὸ βῆμα ὥσπερ ὠδί- νῶν.
hoi de loipoi pantes tę̄ ekklēsią prosete- “thēsan, hōn kai anetazomenōn Alexandros tis, Phryx “men to genos, iatros de tēn epistēmēn, pollois “aetesin en tais Galliais diatripsas, kai gnōstos “schedon pasi dia tēn pros ton theon agapēn kai “parrēsian tou logou (ēn gar kai ouk amoiros apo- “stolikou charismatos), parestōs tǭ bēmati, kai “neumati protrepōn autous pros tēn homologian, “phaneros ēn tois periestēkosi to bēma hōsper ōdi- nōn.
All the rest were added to the church. While they were being examined, a certain Alexander, a Phrygian by birth and a physician by profession, who had lived in Gaul for many years and was known to almost everyone for his love toward God and boldness of speech (for he was not without a share of apostolic grace), stood by the tribunal and, encouraging them by nods to confess, was plain to those standing round the tribunal as one in the pangs of birth.
Notes and citation
Summary: Alexander, a Phrygian physician, urged the accused by signs to confess, as though in labour for them.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (misread letter in the digital text; misread letters in the digital text): ἀνεταομἐνων → ἀνεταζομένων; ἐπιοτήμην → ἐπιστήμην.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.49 (Dindorf 4:194–195; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-49).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.50Dindorf 4:195
ἀγανακτήσαντες δὲ οἱ ὄχλοι ἐπὶ τῷ τοὺς·‘πρότερον ἠρνημένους αὖθις ὁμολογεῖν κατεβόησαν τοῦ Ἀλεξάνδρου, ὡς ἐκείνου τοῦτο ποιοῦντος. καὶ ἐπιστήσαντος τοῦ ἡγεμόνος καὶ ἀνετάσαντος αὐτὸν ὅστις εἴη, τοῦ δὲ φήσαντος ὅτι Χριστιανὸς, ἐν ὀργῇ ‘γενόμενος κατέκρινεν αὐτὸν πρὸς θηρία, καὶ τῇ ἐπιούσῃ εἰσῆλθε μετὰ καὶ τοῦ Ἀττάλου. καὶ γὰρ καὶ τὸν Ἄτταλον τῷ ὄχλῳ χαριζόμενος ὁ ἡγεμὼν ἐξέδωκε πάλιν πρὸς θηρία.
aganaktēsantes de hoi ochloi epi tǭ tous;‘proteron ērnēmenous authis homologein kateboēsan tou Alexandrou, hōs ekeinou touto poiountos. kai epistēsantos tou hēgemonos kai anetasantos auton hostis eiē, tou de phēsantos hoti Christianos, en orgę̄ ‘genomenos katekrinen auton pros thēria, kai tę̄ epiousę̄ eisēlthe meta kai tou Attalou. kai gar kai ton Attalon tǭ ochlǭ charizomenos ho hēgemōn exedōke palin pros thēria.
The crowds, enraged that those who had formerly denied were confessing again, cried out against Alexander as the one responsible. The governor summoned him and asked who he was; when he said, “A Christian,” the governor in anger condemned him to the beasts, and on the next day he entered the arena together with Attalus. For to please the crowd the governor had handed Attalus over to the beasts again.
Notes and citation
Summary: Alexander was blamed by the crowd, confessed, and was condemned to the beasts with Attalus.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons. Handing a Roman citizen to the beasts defied the emperor's rescript (5.1.47).
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (wrong accent in the digital text): τοὐ δὲ φήσαντος → τοῦ δὲ φήσαντος.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.50 (Dindorf 4:195; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-50).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.51Dindorf 4:195
οἱ· καὶ διὰ πάντων διελθόντες “ἐν τῷ ἀμφιθεάτρῳ τῶν πρὸς κόλασιν ἐξηυρημένων ὀργάνων, καὶ μέγιστον ὑπομείναντες ἀγῶνα, τοὔσχατον ἐτύθησαν καὶ αὐτοὶ, τοῦ μὲν Ἀλεξάνδρου μήτε στενάξαντος μήτε γρύξαντός τι ὅλως, ἀλλὰ κατὰ καρδίαν ὁμιλοῦντος τῷ θεῷ.
hoi; kai dia pantōn dielthontes “en tǭ amphitheatrǭ tōn pros kolasin exēurēmenōn organōn, kai megiston hypomeinantes agōna, touschaton etythēsan kai autoi, tou men Alexandrou mēte stenaxantos mēte gryxantos ti holōs, alla kata kardian homilountos tǭ theǭ.
They passed through all the instruments devised for punishment in the amphitheatre and, having endured a very great contest, were at last sacrificed themselves as well. Alexander neither groaned nor uttered any sound at all, but conversed with God in his heart.
Notes and citation
Summary: Alexander and Attalus died after every torture, Alexander silently praying.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.51 (Dindorf 4:195; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-51).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.52Dindorf 4:195
ὁ δὲ Ἄτταλος, ὁπότε ἐπὶ τῆς σιδηρᾶς ἐπετέθη καθέδρας καὶ περιεκαίετο, ἡνίκα ἡ ἀπὸ τοῦ σώματος κνῖσα ἀνεφέρετο, ἔφη πρὸς τὸ πλῆθος τῇ Ῥωμαϊκῇ φωνῇ ῾ “ἐστιν ἀνθρώπους ἐσθίειν, ὃ ποιεῖτε ὑμεῖς· ἡμεῖς δὲ οὔτε ἀνθρώπους ἐσθίομεν οὔθʼ ἕτερόν τι πονηρὸν πράττομεν.’ ἐπερωτώμενος δὲ τί ὄνομα ἔχει ὁ θεὸς, ἀπεκρίθη ‘ ὁ θεὸς ὄνομα οὐκ ἔχει ὡς ἄνθρωπος.
ho de Attalos, hopote epi tēs sidēras epetethē kathedras kai periekaieto, hēnika hē apo tou sōmatos knisa anephereto, ephē pros to plēthos tę̄ Rhōmaïkę̄ phōnę̄ ῾ “estin anthrōpous esthiein, ho poieite hymeis; hēmeis de oute anthrōpous esthiomen outhʼ heteron ti ponēron prattomen.’ eperōtōmenos de ti onoma echei ho theos, apekrithē ‘ ho theos onoma ouk echei hōs anthrōpos.
Attalus, when he was placed on the iron chair and was being burned all round, and the reek rose from his body, said to the multitude in Latin, “Look, this is eating human beings, what you are doing; but we neither eat human beings nor do anything else wicked.” And when asked what name God has, he answered, “God does not have a name as a man does.”
Notes and citation
Summary: Roasting on the iron chair, Attalus told the crowd that they, not the Christians, were eating people, and that God has no name like a man.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons. The words “Look, this is” are partly lost in the digital text and supplied from the sense.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (Latin letter and stray marks in the digital text): ‘Pωμαἰ·κῇ → Ῥωμαϊκῇ.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.52 (Dindorf 4:195; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-52).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.53Dindorf 4:195
ἐπὶ πάσι δὲ τούτοις τῇ ἐσχάτῃ λοιπὸν ἡμέρᾳ τῶν μονομαχίων ἡ Βλανδῖνα πάλιν εἰσεκομίζετο μετὰ καὶ Ποντικοῦ παιδαρίου ὡς πεντεκαίδεκα ἐτῶν, οἱ καὶ καθʼ ἡμέραν εἰσήγοντο πρὸς τὸ βλέπειν τὴν τῶν λοιπῶν κόλασιν, καὶ ἠναγκάζοντο ὀμνύναι κατὰ τῶν εἰδώλων αὐτῶν. καὶ διὰ τὸ ἐμμένειν εὐσταθῶς καὶ ἐξουθενεῖν αὐτοὺς ἠγριώθη πρὸς αὐτοὺς τὸ πλῆθος, ὡς μήτε τὴν ἡλικίαν τοῦ παιδὸς οἰκτεῖραι μήτε τὸ γύναιον αἰδεσθῆναι.
epi pasi de toutois tę̄ eschatę̄ loipon hēmerą tōn monomachiōn hē Blandina palin eisekomizeto meta kai Pontikou paidariou hōs pentekaideka etōn, hoi kai kathʼ hēmeran eisēgonto pros to blepein tēn tōn loipōn kolasin, kai ēnankazonto omnynai kata tōn eidōlōn autōn. kai dia to emmenein eustathōs kai exouthenein autous ēgriōthē pros autous to plēthos, hōs mēte tēn hēlikian tou paidos oikteirai mēte to gynaion aidesthēnai.
After all these, on the last day of the gladiatorial games, Blandina was again brought in, together with Ponticus, a boy of about fifteen. They had been brought in every day to watch the punishment of the rest and were being compelled to swear by the idols. Because they remained steadfast and despised them, the multitude was enraged at them, so that it neither pitied the boy's age nor respected the woman.
Notes and citation
Summary: On the last day Blandina and the fifteen-year-old Ponticus, who had refused to swear by the idols, were brought in.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.53 (Dindorf 4:195; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-53).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.54Dindorf 4:195–196
πρὸς πάντα δὲ τὰ δεινὰ παρέβαλλον αὐτοὺς, καὶ διὰ πάσης ἐν κύκλῳ διῆγον κολάσεως, ἐπαλλήλως ἀναγκάζοντες ὀμόσαι, “ἀλλὰ μὴ δυνάμενοι τοῦτο πρᾶξαι· ὁ μὲν γὰρ Πον- “τικὸς ὑπὸ τῆς ἀδελφῆς παρωρμημένος, ὡς καὶ τὰ “ἔθνη βλέπειν ὅτι ἐκείνη ἦν προτρεπομένη καὶ στη- “ρίζουσα αὐτὸν, πᾶσαν κόλασιν γενναίως ὑπομείνας “ἀπέδωκε τὸ πνεῦμα.
pros panta de ta deina pareballon autous, kai dia pasēs en kyklǭ diēgon kolaseōs, epallēlōs anankazontes omosai, “alla mē dynamenoi touto praxai; ho men gar Pon- “tikos hypo tēs adelphēs parōrmēmenos, hōs kai ta “ethnē blepein hoti ekeinē ēn protrepomenē kai stē- “rizousa auton, pasan kolasin gennaiōs hypomeinas “apedōke to pneuma.
They exposed them to every terror and led them through every punishment in turn, repeatedly trying to force them to swear, but they could not do it. For Ponticus, encouraged by his sister, so that even the Gentiles saw that she was urging him on and strengthening him, nobly endured every punishment and gave up his spirit.
Notes and citation
Summary: Encouraged by Blandina, Ponticus endured every torture and died.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons. “Sister” is Christian usage, not blood kinship.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.54 (Dindorf 4:195–196; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-54).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.55Dindorf 4:196
ἡ δὲ μακαρία Βλανδῖνα “πάντων ἐσχάτη, καθάπερ μήτηρ εὐγενὴς παρορμή- “σασα τὰ τέκνα καὶ νικηφόρους προπέμψασα πρὸς “τὸν βασιλέα, ἀναμετρουμένη καὶ αὐτὴ πάντα τὰ “τῶν παίδων ἀγωνίσματα, ἔσπευδε πρὸς αὐτοὺς χαί- “ρουσα καὶ ἀγαλλιωμένη ἐπὶ τῇ ἐξόδῳ, ὡς εἰς νυμ- “φικὸν δεῖπνον κεκλημένη, ἀλλὰ μὴ πρὸς θηρία “βεβλημένη.
hē de makaria Blandina “pantōn eschatē, kathaper mētēr eugenēs parormē- “sasa ta tekna kai nikēphorous propempsasa pros “ton basilea, anametroumenē kai autē panta ta “tōn paidōn agōnismata, espeude pros autous chai- “rousa kai agalliōmenē epi tę̄ exodǭ, hōs eis nym- “phikon deipnon keklēmenē, alla mē pros thēria “beblēmenē.
But the blessed Blandina, last of all, like a noble mother who has encouraged her children and sent them ahead victorious to the king, herself retraced all her children's contests and hastened to them, rejoicing and exulting at her departure, as if invited to a wedding feast rather than thrown to the beasts.
Rev 19:9 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Blandina, like a noble mother who had sent her children ahead, went joyfully to her death as to a wedding feast.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons, recalling the mother in 2 Macc 7 and the wedding supper of Rev 19:9.
Extrabiblical texts: 2 Macc 7:20-23 (2 Maccabees [in RC, EO canons]; allusion); Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.55 (Dindorf 4:196; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-55).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.56Dindorf 4:196
καὶ μετὰ τὰς μάστιγας, μετὰ τὰ “θηρία, μετὰ τὸ τήγανον, τοὔσχατον εἰς γυργαθὸν “βληθεῖσα ταύρῳ παρεβλήθη, καὶ ἱκανῶς ἀναβλη- “θεῖσα πρὸς τοῦ ζῴου, μηδὲ αἴσθησιν ἔτι τῶν συμ- “βαινόντων ἔχουσα διὰ τὴν ἐλπίδα καὶ ἐποχὴν τῶν “πεπιστευμένων καὶ ὁμιλίαν πρὸς Χριστὸν, ἐτύθη “καὶ αὐτὴ, καὶ αὐτῶν ὁμολογούντων τῶν ἐθνῶν ὅτι “μηδεπώποτε παρʼ αὐτοῖς γυνὴ τοιαῦτα καὶ τοσαῦτα “ἔπαθεν.
kai meta tas mastigas, meta ta “thēria, meta to tēganon, touschaton eis gyrgathon “blētheisa taurǭ pareblēthē, kai hikanōs anablē- “theisa pros tou zǭou, mēde aisthēsin eti tōn sym- “bainontōn echousa dia tēn elpida kai epochēn tōn “pepisteumenōn kai homilian pros Christon, etythē “kai autē, kai autōn homologountōn tōn ethnōn hoti “mēdepōpote parʼ autois gynē toiauta kai tosauta “epathen.
After the whips, after the beasts, after the frying pan, she was at last put in a net and thrown to a bull. Tossed about for a long time by the animal, no longer even aware of what was happening because of her hope and grasp of what she believed and her communion with Christ, she too was sacrificed; and the Gentiles themselves admitted that never among them had a woman suffered so much and so terribly.
Notes and citation
Summary: After scourging, beasts, and the hot chair, Blandina was tossed by a bull and killed; even the pagans admired her endurance.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.56 (Dindorf 4:196; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-56).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.57Dindorf 4:196
ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ οὕτως κόρον ἐλάμβανεν αὐτῶν “ἡ μανία καὶ ἡ πρὸς τοὺς ἁγίους ὠμότης. ὑπὸ γὰρ “ἀγρίου θηρὸς ἄγρια καὶ βάρβαρα φῦλα ταραχθέντα “δυσπαύστως εἶχε, καὶ ἄλλην ἰδίαν ἀρχὴν ἐπὶ τοῖς “σώμασιν ἐλάμβανεν ἡ ὕβρις αὐτῶν.
allʼ oudʼ houtōs koron elambanen autōn “hē mania kai hē pros tous hagious ōmotēs. hypo gar “agriou thēros agria kai barbara phyla tarachthenta “dyspaustōs eiche, kai allēn idian archēn epi tois “sōmasin elambanen hē hybris autōn.
But not even so was their madness and their cruelty toward the saints satisfied. For wild and barbarous tribes, stirred up by a wild beast, were hard to stop, and their insolence took another, peculiar turn against the bodies.
Notes and citation
Summary: Even then the persecutors' rage turned against the martyrs' bodies.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons. The “wild beast” is the devil.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.57 (Dindorf 4:196; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-57).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.58Dindorf 4:196–197
τὸ γὰρ “νενικῆσθαι αὐτοὺς οὐκ ἐδυσώπει, διὰ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν “ἀνθρώπινον ἐπιλογισμὸν, μᾶλλον δὲ καὶ ἐξέκαιεν “αὐτῶν τὴν ὀργὴν καθάπερ θηρίου, καὶ τοῦ ἡγεμό- “νος καὶ τοῦ δήμου τὸ ὅμοιον εἰς ἡμᾶς ἄδικον ἐπι- “δεικνυμένων μῖσος, ἵνα ἡ γραφὴ πληρωθῇ ῾ὁ ἄνο- “μος ἀνομησάτω ἔτι, καὶ ὁ δίκαιος δικαιωθήτω ἔτι.᾿ “
to gar “nenikēsthai autous ouk edysōpei, dia to mē echein “anthrōpinon epilogismon, mallon de kai exekaien “autōn tēn orgēn kathaper thēriou, kai tou hēgemo- “nos kai tou dēmou to homoion eis hēmas adikon epi- “deiknymenōn misos, hina hē graphē plērōthę̄ ῾ho ano- “mos anomēsatō eti, kai ho dikaios dikaiōthētō eti.᾿ “
Being defeated did not shame them, since they had no human reasoning; rather it inflamed their anger like that of a beast, the governor and the people showing the same unjust hatred toward us, so that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Let the lawless be lawless still, and let the righteous be made righteous still.”
Rev 22:11 (quotation, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Defeat only enraged the persecutors, fulfilling Rev 22:11.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons, citing Rev 22:11 in a form close to its text.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Persecution, Scripture and canon
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.58 (Dindorf 4:196–197; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-58).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.59Dindorf 4:197
καὶ γὰρ τοὺς ἐναποπνιγέντας ἐν τῇ εἱρκτῇ παρέβαλλον “κυσὶν, ἐπιμελῶς παραφυλάσσοντες νύκτωρ “καὶ μεθʼ ἡμέραν, μὴ κηδευθῇ τις ὑφʼ ἡμῶν, καὶ “τότε δὴ προθέντες τά τε τῶν θηρίων τά τε τοῦ “πυρὸς λείψανα, τῇ μὲν ἐσπαραγμένα, πῆ δὲ ἠν— “θρακευμἐνα, καὶ τῶν λοιπῶν τὰς κεφαλὰς σὺν τοῖς “ἀποτμήμασιν αὐτῶν ὡσαύτως ἀτάφους παρεφύλαττον “μετὰ στρατιωτικῆς ἐπιμελείας ἡμέραις συχναῖς. “
kai gar tous enapopnigentas en tę̄ heirktę̄ pareballon “kysin, epimelōs paraphylassontes nyktōr “kai methʼ hēmeran, mē kēdeuthę̄ tis hyphʼ hēmōn, kai “tote dē prothentes ta te tōn thēriōn ta te tou “pyros leipsana, tę̄ men esparagmena, pē de ēn— “thrakeumena, kai tōn loipōn tas kephalas syn tois “apotmēmasin autōn hōsautōs ataphous parephylatton “meta stratiōtikēs epimeleias hēmerais sychnais. “
For they threw those who had been suffocated in the prison to the dogs, keeping careful watch night and day that none should be buried by us. Then they exposed the remains left by the beasts and by the fire, some torn to pieces, some charred, and the heads of the rest together with their trunks, and likewise guarded them unburied with military care for many days.
Notes and citation
Summary: The martyrs' remains were left unburied and guarded so that the Christians could not bury them.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.59 (Dindorf 4:197; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-59).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.60Dindorf 4:197
καὶ οἱ μὲν ἐνεβριμῶντο καὶ ἔβρυχον τοὺς ὀδόντας “ἐπʼ αὐτοῖς, ζητοῦντές τινα περισσοτέραν ἐκδίκησιν “παρʼ αὐτῶν λαβεῖν, οἱ δὲ ἐνεγέλων καὶ ἐπετώθαζον, “μεγαλύνοντες ἅμα τὰ εἴδωλα αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐκείνοις “προσάπτοντες τὴν τούτων τιμωρίαν, οἱ δὲ ἐπιεικέστεροι “καὶ κατὰ ποσὸν συμπαθεῖν δοκοῦντες ὡνείδιζον “πολὺ λέγοντες ποῦ ὁ θεὸς αὐτῶν, καὶ τί αὐτοὺς “τοὺς ὤνησεν ἡ θρησκεία, ἣν καὶ πρὸ τῆς ἑαυτῶν “εἵλοντο ψυχῆς;
kai hoi men enebrimōnto kai ebrychon tous odontas “epʼ autois, zētountes tina perissoteran ekdikēsin “parʼ autōn labein, hoi de enegelōn kai epetōthazon, “megalynontes hama ta eidōla autōn, kai ekeinois “prosaptontes tēn toutōn timōrian, hoi de epieikesteroi “kai kata poson sympathein dokountes hōneidizon “poly legontes pou ho theos autōn, kai ti autous “tous ōnēsen hē thrēskeia, hēn kai pro tēs heautōn “heilonto psychēs?
Some raged and gnashed their teeth at them, seeking to take some further vengeance on them; others laughed and mocked, magnifying their idols and ascribing to them the punishment of these; while the more reasonable, who seemed to have some measure of sympathy, reproached them greatly, saying, “Where is their God, and what good did their religion do them, which they chose even before their own lives?”
Ps 79:10 (78:10 LXX) (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Onlookers raged, mocked, or asked where the Christians' God was.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons; “Where is their God?” echoes Ps 79:10 (78:10 LXX).
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.60 (Dindorf 4:197; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-60).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.61Dindorf 4:197
καὶ τὰ μὲν ἀπʼ ἐκείνων τοιαύτην “εἶχε τὴν ποικιλίαν, τὰ δὲ καθʼ ἡμᾶς ἐν μεγάλῳ “καθειστήκει πένθει, διὰ τὸ μὴ δύνασθαι τὰ σώματα “κρύψαι τῇ γῇ. οὔτε γὰρ νὺξ συνεβάλλετο ἡμῖν πρὸς “τοῦτο οὔτε ἀργύρια ἔπειθεν οὔτε λιτανεία ἐδυσώπει, “παντὶ δὲ τρόπῳ παρετήρουν, ὡς μέγα τι κερδανουντες, “εἰ μὴ τύχοιεν ταφῆς.”
kai ta men apʼ ekeinōn toiautēn “eiche tēn poikilian, ta de kathʼ hēmas en megalǭ “katheistēkei penthei, dia to mē dynasthai ta sōmata “krypsai tę̄ gę̄. oute gar nyx syneballeto hēmin pros “touto oute argyria epeithen oute litaneia edysōpei, “panti de tropǭ paretēroun, hōs mega ti kerdanountes, “ei mē tychoien taphēs.”
Such was the variety of their conduct; but our situation was one of great grief, because we could not hide the bodies in the earth. Neither did night help us to this, nor did money persuade, nor did entreaty move them, but they kept guard in every way, as though it were some great gain if they should not obtain burial.”
Notes and citation
Summary: The Christians grieved that neither bribes nor pleas allowed them to bury the martyrs.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Persecution
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.61 (Dindorf 4:197; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-61).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.62Dindorf 4:197
τούτοις ἑξῆς “μεθʼ ἕτερά φασι “τὰ οὖν σώματα τῶν μαρτύρων “παραδειγματισθέντα καὶ αἰθαλωθέντα ἐπὶ “ἡμέρας ἓξ, μετέπειτα καέντα καὶ αἰθαλωθέντα ὑπὸ “τῶν ἀνόμων κατεσαρώθη εἰς τὸν Ῥοδανὸν ποταμὸν “πλησίον παραρρέοντα, ὅπως μηδὲ λείψανον αὐτῶν “φαίνηται ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἔτι.
toutois hexēs “methʼ hetera phasi “ta oun sōmata tōn martyrōn “paradeigmatisthenta kai aithalōthenta epi “hēmeras hex, metepeita kaenta kai aithalōthenta hypo “tōn anomōn katesarōthē eis ton Rhodanon potamon “plēsion pararreonta, hopōs mēde leipsanon autōn “phainētai epi tēs gēs eti.
After this, following other matters, they say: “So the bodies of the martyrs, having been exposed to every outrage and left in the open for six days, were afterwards burned and reduced to ashes by the lawless and swept into the river Rhône, which flows nearby, so that not even a relic of them might still appear on the earth.
Notes and citation
Summary: After six days the martyrs' bodies were burned and their ashes thrown into the Rhône.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons. The digital text repeats αἰθαλωθέντα; the first is probably a slip for a word such as ὑβρισθέντα (“outraged”).
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Persecution, Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.62 (Dindorf 4:197; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-62).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.1.63Dindorf 4:197–198
καὶ ταῦτʼ ἔπραττον “ὡς δυνάμενοι νικῆσαι τὸν θεὸν καὶ ἀφελέσθαι αὐτῶν “τῶν τὴν παλιγγενεσίαν, ἔνα, ὡς ἔλεγον ἐκεῖνοι, “μηδὲ ἐλπίδα σχῶσιν ἀναστάσεως, ἐφʼ ᾗ πεποιθότες “ξένην τινὰ καὶ καινὴν ἡμῖν εἰσάγουσι θρησκείαν, “καὶ καταφρονοῦσι τῶν δεινῶν, ἕτοιμοι καὶ “χαρᾶς ἥκοντες ἐπὶ τὸν θάνατον· νῦν ἴδωμεν εἰ ἀναστήσονται, “καὶ εἰ δύναται βοηθῆσαι αὐτοῖς ὁ θεὸς αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐξελέσθαι ἐκ τῶν χειρῶν ἡμῶν.”
kai tautʼ epratton “hōs dynamenoi nikēsai ton theon kai aphelesthai autōn “tōn tēn palingenesian, ena, hōs elegon ekeinoi, “mēde elpida schōsin anastaseōs, ephʼ hę̄ pepoithotes “xenēn tina kai kainēn hēmin eisagousi thrēskeian, “kai kataphronousi tōn deinōn, hetoimoi kai “charas hēkontes epi ton thanaton; nyn idōmen ei anastēsontai, “kai ei dynatai boēthēsai autois ho theos autōn, kai exelesthai ek tōn cheirōn hēmōn.”
And they did this as if able to conquer God and deprive them of their rebirth, “so that,” as they said, “they may not even have hope of a resurrection, trusting in which they introduce a foreign and new religion among us, and despise terrors, coming ready and with joy to death. Now let us see whether they will rise again, and whether their God can help them and deliver them out of our hands.”
Dan 3:15 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The pagans destroyed the bodies to mock the Christian hope of resurrection.
- End of this extract from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons. “Deliver them out of our hands” echoes Dan 3:15.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Eschatology, Persecution
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.1.63 (Dindorf 4:197–198; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-1-63).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
Church 5, chapter 2
5.2.1Dindorf 4:198
Τοιαῦτα καὶ τὰ κατὰ τὸν δεδηλωμένον αὐτοκράτορα ταῖς Χριστοῦ συμβέβηκεν ἐκκλησίαις, ἀφʼ ὧν καὶ τὰ ἐν ταῖς λοιπαῖς ἐπαρχίαις ἐνηργημένα εἰκότι λογισμῷ στοχάζεσθαι πάρεστιν. ἄξιον τούτοις ἐκ τῆς αὐτῆς ἐπισυνάψαι γραφῆς λέξεις ἑτέρας, διʼ ὧν καὶ τὸ ἐπιεικὲς καὶ φιλάνθρωπον τῶν δεδηλωμένων μαρτύρων ἀναγέγραπται τούτοις αὐτοῖς τοῖςρήμασιν
Toiauta kai ta kata ton dedēlōmenon autokratora tais Christou symbebēken ekklēsiais, aphʼ hōn kai ta en tais loipais eparchiais enērgēmena eikoti logismǭ stochazesthai parestin. axion toutois ek tēs autēs episynapsai graphēs lexeis heteras, diʼ hōn kai to epieikes kai philanthrōpon tōn dedēlōmenōn martyrōn anagegraptai toutois autois toisrēmasin
Such were the things that happened to the churches of Christ under the emperor mentioned, from which one may reasonably infer what was done in the other provinces. It is worth adding other passages from the same document, in which the gentleness and kindness of the martyrs described are recorded in these very words:
Notes and citation
Summary: Eusebius adds further extracts from the letter on the martyrs' gentleness.
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.2.1 (Dindorf 4:198; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-2-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.2.2Dindorf 4:198
“οἳ καὶ ἐπὶ τοσοῦτον ζηλωταὶ καὶ μιμηταὶ Χριστοῦ ἐγένοντο, ὃς ἐν μορφῇ θεοῦ ὑπάρχων οὐχ ἁρπαγμὸν ἡγήσατο τὸ εἶναι ἴσα θεῷ, ὥστε ἐν τοιαύτῃ δόξῃ ὑπάρχοντες, καὶ οὐχ ἅπαξ οὐδὲ δὶς, ἀλλὰ πολλάκις μαρτυρήσαντες, καὶ ἐκ θηρίων αὖθις ἀναληφθέντες, καὶ τὰ καυτήρια καὶ τοὺς μώλωπας καὶ τὰ τραύματα ἔχοντες περικείμενα, οὔτʼ αὐτοὶ μάρ- “τυρας ἑαυτοὺς ἀνεκήρυττον οὔτε μὴν ἡμῖν τούτῳ τῷ ὀνόματι προσαγορεύειν αὐτοὺς, ἀλλʼ εἴ ποτέ τις ἡμῶν διʼ ἐπιστολῆς ἢ διὰ λόγου μάρτυρας αὐτοὺς προσεῖπεν, ἐπέπλησσον πικρῶς.
“hoi kai epi tosouton zēlōtai kai mimētai Christou egenonto, hos en morphę̄ theou hyparchōn ouch harpagmon hēgēsato to einai isa theǭ, hōste en toiautę̄ doxę̄ hyparchontes, kai ouch hapax oude dis, alla pollakis martyrēsantes, kai ek thēriōn authis analēphthentes, kai ta kautēria kai tous mōlōpas kai ta traumata echontes perikeimena, outʼ autoi mar- “tyras heautous anekērytton oute mēn hēmin toutǭ tǭ onomati prosagoreuein autous, allʼ ei pote tis hēmōn diʼ epistolēs ē dia logou martyras autous proseipen, epeplēsson pikrōs.
“They became such zealous imitators of Christ, ‘who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,’ that, though they were in such glory, and had borne witness not once or twice but many times, and had been taken back from the beasts, and bore burns, bruises, and wounds all over, they neither proclaimed themselves martyrs nor allowed us to address them by this name; but if any of us by letter or by word addressed them as martyrs, they rebuked him sharply.
Phil 2:6 (quotation, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The confessors, imitating Christ's humility, refused to be called martyrs.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons, citing Phil 2:6. A verb such as ἐπέτρεπον (“allowed”) is missing in the digital text after οὔτε μὴν ἡμῖν; translated from the sense.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom, Christology
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.2.2 (Dindorf 4:198; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-2-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.2.3Dindorf 4:198–199
ἡδέως γὰρ παρεχώρουν τὴν τῆς μαρτυρίας προσηγορίαν τῷ Χριστῷ, τῷ πιστῷ καὶ ἀληθινῷ μάρτυρι καὶ πρωτοτόκῳ τῶν νεκρῶν καὶ ἀρχηγῷ τῆς ζωῆς τοὐ θεοῦ, καὶ ἐπεμιμνήσκοντο τῶν ἐξεληλυθότων ἤδη μαρτύρων καὶ ἔλεγον ἐκεῖνοι ἤδη μάρτυρες, οὓς ἐν τῇ ὁμολογίᾳ Χριστὸς ἠξίωσεν ἀναληφθῆναι, ἐπι- σφραγισάμενος αὐτῶν διὰ τῆς ἐξόδου τὴν μαρτυ- “ρίαν, ἡμεῖς δὲ ὁμόλογοι μέτριοι καὶ ταπεινοί. καὶ “μετὰ δακρύων παρεκάλουν τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς, δεόμενοι “ἵνα ἐκτενεῖς εὐχαὶ γίνωνται πρὸς τὸ τελειωθῆναι “αὐτούς.
hēdeōs gar parechōroun tēn tēs martyrias prosēgorian tǭ Christǭ, tǭ pistǭ kai alēthinǭ martyri kai prōtotokǭ tōn nekrōn kai archēgǭ tēs zōēs tou theou, kai epemimnēskonto tōn exelēlythotōn ēdē martyrōn kai elegon ekeinoi ēdē martyres, hous en tę̄ homologią Christos ēxiōsen analēphthēnai, epi- sphragisamenos autōn dia tēs exodou tēn marty- “rian, hēmeis de homologoi metrioi kai tapeinoi. kai “meta dakryōn parekaloun tous adelphous, deomenoi “hina ekteneis euchai ginōntai pros to teleiōthēnai “autous.
For they gladly yielded the title of martyr to Christ, the faithful and true martyr, the firstborn of the dead and author of the life of God; and they reminded us of the martyrs who had already departed and said, ‘They are already martyrs, whom Christ deemed worthy to be taken up in their confession, sealing their martyrdom by their departure; but we are lowly and humble confessors.’ And with tears they begged the brothers that earnest prayers be made for them to be perfected.
Rev 1:5 (allusion, high confidence) · Rev 3:14 (allusion, high confidence) · Acts 3:15 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: They gave the title “martyr” to Christ and the dead, calling themselves mere confessors and asking for prayer.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons, echoing Rev 1:5, 3:14 and Acts 3:15. Μάρτυς means “witness”; here the distinction between martyr (one who has died) and confessor appears.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (misread letter in the digital text): ἐπεμιμνήσγοντο → ἐπεμιμνήσκοντο.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom, Christology, Prayer
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.2.3 (Dindorf 4:198–199; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-2-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.2.4Dindorf 4:199
καὶ τὴν μὲν δύναμιν τῆς μαρτυρίας ἔργῳ “ἐπεδείκνυντο, πολλὴν παρρησίαν ἄγοντες πρὸς πάντα “τὰ ἔθνη, καὶ τὴν εὐγένειαν διὰ τῆς ὑπομονῆς καὶ “ἀφοβίας καὶ ἀτρομίας φανερὰν ἐποίουν, τὴν δὲ πρὸς “τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς τῶν μαρτύρων προσηγορίαν παρῃτοῦντο, “ἐμπεπλησμένοι φόβου θεοῦ.”
kai tēn men dynamin tēs martyrias ergǭ “epedeiknynto, pollēn parrēsian agontes pros panta “ta ethnē, kai tēn eugeneian dia tēs hypomonēs kai “aphobias kai atromias phaneran epoioun, tēn de pros “tous adelphous tōn martyrōn prosēgorian parę̄tounto, “empeplēsmenoi phobou theou.”
They showed the power of martyrdom in deed, displaying great boldness toward all the Gentiles, and made their nobility plain by their endurance and their freedom from fear and trembling; but they refused the title of martyrs from the brothers, being filled with the fear of God.”
Notes and citation
Summary: They showed a martyr's courage but in the fear of God refused the title.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (wrong accent in the digital text): θεοὺ. → θεοῦ..
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.2.4 (Dindorf 4:199; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-2-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.2.5Dindorf 4:199
καὶ αὖθις “μετὰ βραχέα φασίν “ἐταπείνουν ἑαυτοὺς ὑπὸ τὴν “κραταιὰν χεῖρα, ὑφʼ ἧς ἱκανῶς νῦν εἰσιν ὑψωμένοι. “τότε δὲ πάσι μὲν ἀπελογοῦντο, κατηγόρουν δὲ οὐδενὸς, “ἔλυον μὲν ἅπαντας, ἐδέσμευον δὲ οὐδένα, καὶ “ὑπὲρ τῶν τὰ δεινὰ διατιθέντων ηὔχοντο, καθάπερ “Στέφανος ὁ τέλειος μάρτυς ‘κύριε, μὴ στήσῃς αὐτοῖς “τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ταύτην.· εἰ δʼ ὑπὲρ τῶν λιθαζόντων “ἐδέετο, πόσῳ μᾶλλον ὑπὲρ τῶν ἀδελφῶν;
kai authis “meta brachea phasin “etapeinoun heautous hypo tēn “krataian cheira, hyphʼ hēs hikanōs nyn eisin hypsōmenoi. “tote de pasi men apelogounto, katēgoroun de oudenos, “elyon men hapantas, edesmeuon de oudena, kai “hyper tōn ta deina diatithentōn ēuchonto, kathaper “Stephanos ho teleios martys ‘kyrie, mē stēsę̄s autois “tēn hamartian tautēn.; ei dʼ hyper tōn lithazontōn “edeeto, posǭ mallon hyper tōn adelphōn?
And again, a little later, they say: “They humbled themselves under the mighty hand, by which they have now been highly exalted. Then they defended all, but accused none; they loosed all, but bound none; and they prayed for those who inflicted the terrors, like Stephen the perfect martyr: ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ But if he prayed for those who stoned him, how much more for the brothers?”
1 Pet 5:6 (allusion, high confidence) · Acts 7:60 (quotation, high confidence) · Matt 16:19 (echo, low confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The confessors humbly defended and forgave everyone and prayed for their persecutors, like Stephen.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons, citing 1 Pet 5:6 and Acts 7:60. “Loosed … bound” refers to the confessors' reconciling the lapsed (cf. Matt 16:19).
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (misread letter in the digital text): ὑπὲρ ἰῶν → ὑπὲρ τῶν.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.2.5 (Dindorf 4:199; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-2-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.2.6Dindorf 4:199
καὶ “αὖθίς φασι μεθʼ ἕτερα οὗτος γὰρ καὶ μέγιστος αὐτοῖς “πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ πόλεμος ἐγένετο, διὰ τὸ γνήσιον “τῆς ἀγάπης, ἵνα ἀποπνιχθεὶς ὁ θὴρ, οὓς πρότερον “ᾤετο καταπεπωκέναι, ζῶντας ἐξεμέσῃ. οὐ γὰρ ἔλαβον “καύχημα κατὰ τῶν πεπτωκότων, ἀλλʼ ἐν οἷς “ἐπλεόναζον αὐτοὶ, τοῦτο τοῖς ἐνδεεστέροις ἐπήρκουν, “μητρικὰ σπλάγχνα ἔχοντες, καὶ πολλὰ περὶ αὐτῶν “ἐκχέοντες δάκρυα πρὸς τὸν πατέρα.
kai “authis phasi methʼ hetera houtos gar kai megistos autois “pros auton ho polemos egeneto, dia to gnēsion “tēs agapēs, hina apopnichtheis ho thēr, hous proteron “ǭeto katapepōkenai, zōntas exemesę̄. ou gar elabon “kauchēma kata tōn peptōkotōn, allʼ en hois “epleonazon autoi, touto tois endeesterois epērkoun, “mētrika splanchna echontes, kai polla peri autōn “ekcheontes dakrya pros ton patera.
And again, after other things, they say: “For this was their greatest war against him, because of the genuineness of their love: that the beast, being choked, might vomit up alive those he had thought he had already swallowed. For they did not boast over the fallen, but supplied to the more needy that in which they themselves abounded, having a mother's compassion, and shedding many tears for them to the Father.
Notes and citation
Summary: Out of love the confessors fought to rescue the lapsed from the devil, weeping for them before the Father.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (misread letters in the digital text): έγἐνειο → ἐγένετο.
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.2.6 (Dindorf 4:199; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-2-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.2.7Dindorf 4:199–200
ζωὴν ἠτήσαντο, “καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς, ἢν καὶ συνεμερίσαντο “τοῖς πλησίον. κατὰ πάντων νικηφόροι πρὸς θεὸν “ἀπελθόντες, εἰρήνην ἀγαπήσαντες ἀεὶ, καὶ εἰρήνην “ἀεὶ παρεγγυήσαντες, μετʼ ειρηνης ἐχώρησαν πρὸς “θεὸν, μὴ καταλιπόντες πόνον τῇ μητρὶ, μηδὲ στάσιν “καὶ πόλεμον τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς, ἀλλὰ χαρὰν καὶ εἰρήνην “καὶ ὁμόνοιαν καὶ ἀγάπην.”
zōēn ētēsanto, “kai edōken autois, ēn kai synemerisanto “tois plēsion. kata pantōn nikēphoroi pros theon “apelthontes, eirēnēn agapēsantes aei, kai eirēnēn “aei parengyēsantes, metʼ eirēnēs echōrēsan pros “theon, mē katalipontes ponon tę̄ mētri, mēde stasin “kai polemon tois adelphois, alla charan kai eirēnēn “kai homonoian kai agapēn.”
They asked for life, and he gave it to them, and they shared it with their neighbours. Victorious over everything, they departed to God; having always loved peace, and always commended peace, they went in peace to God, leaving no trouble for their mother, nor faction and war for the brothers, but joy and peace and concord and love.”
Ps 21:4 (20:5 LXX) (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The martyrs obtained life for others and departed in peace, leaving the church concord and love.
- Quotation from the Letter of Vienne and Lyons; “they asked for life, and he gave it” echoes Ps 21:4 (20:5 LXX).
Extrabiblical texts: Ep. Lugd. (Letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons; quotation)
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.2.7 (Dindorf 4:199–200; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-2-7).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.
5.2.8Dindorf 4:200
ταῦτα καὶ περὶ τῆς τῶν μακαρίων ἐκείνων πρὸς τοὺς παραπεπτωκότας τῶν ἀδελφῶν στοργῆς ὠφελίμως προσκείσθω, τῆς ἀπανθρώπου καὶ ἀνηλεοῦς ἕνεκα διαθέσεως τῶν μετὰ ταῦτα ἀφειδῶς τοῖς Χριστοῦ μέλεσι προσενηνεγμένων.
tauta kai peri tēs tōn makariōn ekeinōn pros tous parapeptōkotas tōn adelphōn storgēs ōphelimōs proskeisthō, tēs apanthrōpou kai anēleous heneka diatheseōs tōn meta tauta apheidōs tois Christou melesi prosenēnegmenōn.
Let this too be usefully added about the affection of those blessed ones toward the brothers who had fallen away, because of the inhuman and merciless disposition of those who afterwards behaved unsparingly toward the members of Christ.
Notes and citation
Summary: Eusebius cites this example of mercy to the lapsed as a rebuke to the harshness of later rigorists.
- Eusebius is probably thinking of the Novatianists (see 6.43).
Topics: Martyrdom
Cite (SBL): Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 5.2.8 (Dindorf 4:200; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/eusebius-historia/5-1-1/#p-5-2-8).
BibTeX · RIS (whole work; this passage's key: sophiascriptura-eusebius-historia-5-2-8) · Report an error
Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Dindorf, Eusebii Caesariensis Opera 4 (Teubner, 1871); made independently of existing English translations.