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Feast Day/Commemorated: June 2

In 177 AD, under the reign of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the growing Christian community in Lyons, France (then Gaul), faced severe persecution. What began as public beatings, social exclusion, and financial discrimination quickly escalated into systemic state suppression. Roman authorities arrested local believers and used false testimonies—coerced from non-Christian slaves with promises of freedom—to accuse Christians of horrific crimes like cannibalism and incest. Believers were subjected to intense torture and given a choice: renounce their faith in Christ or face severe punishment based on their social status.

Among those arrested was Blandina, a young slave girl of frail posture whom authorities expected to quickly break and fabricate charges against her owners. Despite undergoing repeated, grueling torture on the rack, she confounded her tormentors by refusing to make false confessions, continually repeating her sole declaration: “I am a Christian, nothing wicked is done among us.” As her captors grew frustrated by her unyielding resolve, the uncaptured members of the Lyons church prayed fervently for her endurance, until Roman officials eventually abandoned their attempts to extract a confession.

Hoping to break her spirit through psychological terror, authorities brought Blandina into the local arena to watch her fellow Christians face execution. Instead of cowering, she actively encouraged her peers—including a fifteen-year-old youth named Ponticus—to remain firm in their faith and forgive their executioners. When placed in the arena herself, beasts initially refused to touch her as she prayed. She was eventually subjected to an enraged bull and ultimately executed by the sword, leaving a lasting mark on her fellow believers who saw her physical suffering as a powerful reflection of Christ's cross.

In total, 48 Christians perished during the persecution in Lyons, including their 92-year-old bishop, Pothinus. Blandina’s extraordinary courage was later recorded by the early church historian Eusebius, serving as a testament to her strength as a martyr. Today, her account remains a historical example of unwavering faith amidst intense suffering, offering encouragement to modern believers facing adversity for their convictions.

About Our Icons (Print and Mounted):

Theophany Works Icons are handcrafted Orthodox Christian icon reproductions made in the United States with prayer and a desire for excellence. Each of our icons are printed on museum-quality matte canvas, providing a rich print with saturated coloration that lends to a beautiful handwritten-icon appearance.

All Theophany Works Icons are mounted on beveled wooden boards and finished with a high-quality UV protection sealant. This offers a subtle authentic-feeling texture while also enhancing durability, allowing for cleaning with a damp cloth. Additionally, each icon is given a maple-shelled keyhole slot on its back for easy and balanced hanging.

Our beautiful icon reproductions are lovingly made in our Lancaster, Pennsylvania studio. We pray they are a blessing to all who receive them, and we believe they will be a beloved addition to any home or parish—each at a fraction of the cost of a hand-painted icon.

***Our Beloved Brothers & Sisters in Christ: Please allow 3 weeks for production as each icon is made to order. If an icon is needed sooner for a baptism, chrismation, wedding, or name day, please contact us—we will always do our very best to accommodate your request.

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