I was a slave—small, weak, and despised by many. My mistress feared that I would not have the strength to confess Christ under torture. But God chose the weak things of this world to shame the strong.
Persecution Falls Upon Lyon Christians
In the year 177, persecution fell upon the Christians of Lyon and Vienne in Gaul. We were arrested, beaten, and dragged before jeering crowds. The authorities subjected us to every cruelty imaginable, seeking to make us renounce our faith and declare that Christians practiced wickedness.
Supernatural Endurance Through Daily Torture
Day after day, I was brought out for torture. They hung me on a stake and exposed me to wild beasts, but the animals would not touch me. The torturers exhausted themselves, marveling that I still breathed. Through it all, I found strength in repeating one confession: "I am a Christian, and there is nothing vile done by us."
My brothers and sisters in chains drew courage from watching my endurance. They later testified that in me they saw Christ Himself suffering—the One who was also despised, also tortured, also faithful unto death. I became to them like a noble mother encouraging her children.
Christ's Strength Made Perfect
After many days of torment, they placed me in a net and threw me before a wild bull. Tossed and gored, I no longer felt my wounds, so absorbed was I in my hope and hold on Christ. Finally, they cut my throat.
The pagans themselves confessed they had never seen a woman suffer so much for so long. But I knew the secret: it was not my strength, but His. Christ, who called the weary and heavy-laden to Himself, carried me through those days. In my weakness, His power was made perfect.
I was a slave on earth. But in Christ, I was free—and death could only bring me to my true Master's side.
