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Icons of St. Blandina of
Lyons, early martyr (+177)
Feast: June 2
St. Blandina lived as a slave
at Lyons, Gaul, in the 2nd century after Christ. She was one of the
illustrious company of those martyred under the emperor Marcus
Aurelius. She was apprehended together with her master, who was also a
Christian. She endured every torment imaginable, to the extent that the
tormentors confessed that they could not think of anything else to do
to her. And to every question put to her, she gave the same answer: "I
am a Christian, and we commit no wrong." Brought to the arena for fresh
torments, Blandina was bound to a stake and wild beasts were released
upon her but refused to harm her. She witnessed the podvigs of all her
fellows, and was the last to suffer martyrdom, by being placed on a red
hot grate, enclosed in a net, and thrown before a wild steer, who
tossed her into the air with his horns. In this manner the great martyr
of Christ received her crown. Holy Martyr Blandina, pray to God for
us!
Top Icon: of unknown
provenance, with French inscription.
Next Icon: found in the chapel
of
the Dormition of the Mother of God, Drôme, France. From the site
la-france-orthodox.net
Final Icon: of unknown
provenance.
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