Epipodius of Lyons, and Alexander, the Greek

In the seventeenth year of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, there were killed, among other pious martyrs at Lyons in France, Epipodius, a citizen of Lyons, and Alexander, a Greek by birth. Their imprisonment, suffering, and death happened in this way: when the heathen thought that the Christian name was entirely wiped out at Lyons and Vienne, and that no person who confessed it was left, these two, as the remainder of the Christians there, were betrayed, accused, and, three days afterward, placed before the tribunal of the Governor. There they were questioned about their name and their confession of faith, and they answered these questions openly. Their answers enraged the judge beyond measure, and he ordered that Epipodius, who was the principal speaker, should be struck on the cheek, which was done in such a way that he bled from his nose and mouth. But this only made this champion of Christ, young as he still was, bolder and firmer, and he said: "I confess that Christ, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, is the only true God; and I consider it right that I should pour out my soul (that is, my life) for Him who is my Creator and Redeemer; for in this way my life will not be taken from me, but changed into a better one. Besides, it matters very little how and in what manner this weak body is released and separated from the soul, so long as the soul is returned to God, its Creator."

When Epipodius had steadfastly finished this confession, he was hung up, at the command of the judge, on a stake, on both sides of which the executioners stood, drawing deep gashes into his sides with cutting hooks or claws. Meanwhile the raging crowd shouted that he should be stoned to death, or torn limb from limb; for the judge was far too slow in pronouncing his sentence of death. Then the judge had him brought out in great haste and beheaded, and so this pious witness of the Son of God came to a blessed end.

Alexander, the Greek mentioned above, was brought out of prison two days after the death of his beloved brother Epipodius, and placed before the tribunal, where he defended himself most cheerfully, showing at the same time his great desire to be counted among the number of his slain brothers and sisters. The judge immediately ordered that Alexander should be stripped, and beaten by three executioners with sticks, cudgels, and so on; but through all these torments he steadfastly called on God for help and relief. In short, the sentence of death was pronounced on him, namely, that he should die on the cross. The executioners then tied him on the cross; but he had already been wounded by so many blows that his bones or bare ribs were visible, as well as the vital parts of his inner organs, namely, the lungs, the liver, the heart, and so on, which could be seen moving, and he gave up the ghost before the executioners could inflict further tortures on him; and so, in steadfastness, he died a blessed death. When this had taken place, he was buried with his friend Epipodius, who had been beheaded, on the 24th of April 179. Abr. Mell., 1st book, folio 48, columns 1 to 4. ex act. Proconsular. Homil. Eucherii Episc. Lugd. sub nomine Eus., Emisseni de Blandina and his Ado hienn., Mart. 22 April.