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Martyred at Smyrna c. 250. Pionius was a priest, and well educated man. He was arrested with a woman and another man, after celebrating the anniversary of St. Polycarp the bishop of Smyrna. They were asked to sacrifice to the Roman gods, upon their refusal, they were tortured by the soldiers. We cannot tell for sure what had happened to the other two, but St. Pionius was taken to the stadium of the city, and after a discussion with the proconsul of the city, he was sentenced to death. He was martyred at the stadium with a priest. We also know that he had made a copy of a letter that tells how St. Polycarp was martyred. |
