Vetius, Surnamed Pagathus, Put to Death on the River Rhone in France

The persecution of the Christians on the River Rhone, at Lyons and Vienne, in France, did not cease, but grew worse the longer it lasted, so that those who confessed the name of Christ were shut out first from their houses, then from their bath houses, and afterwards from all public places, so that they could stay neither in the house, nor in the city, nor outside it, which caused them much suffering. It happened that some of the brothers of the church of God there were arrested and brought before the President for examination, and a certain brother called Vetius, surnamed Pagathus, young in years but old and strong in the faith, went boldly before the judge and made himself known as a defender of the arrested Christians, whose cause he undertook to plead. When the judge had heard his defense, he refused it, and asked him whether he too was a Christian, or a believer in Christ, at which he openly confessed that he was. He was immediately enrolled among the Christian martyrs, and was called the Advocate of the Christians.

He was so pious and virtuous in his life that Eusebius Pamphilius calls him: "Filled with ardent and divine love of the Spirit; indeed, he testifies that he had a perfect love to God, and was upright toward all men; and that his life, though he was a young man, was so tried and acceptable that he surpassed many older people, since he lived justly and blamelessly, being always ready to minister to the servants of God."

It is finally stated that he followed the holy teacher Zacharia, who had shown perfect love toward the holy martyrs, and had helped and supported them; and also that, following the example of Jesus, his Savior, he laid down his life for his sheep and friends; that is, he gave his life for the truth, out of love to the church of God, and to be a pattern of steadfastness to them. [n157-1] Compare Euseb., 5th book, chapter 1, folio 80, columns 1 and 2, with Abr. Mell., 1st book, folio 43, columns 1 and 2, under the title Vetius. Also, Joh. [n157-2] Gys., folio 17, column 3, though he differs from the others in regard to the time.