E03231: The Martyrdom of *Pontianus (martyr of Spoleto, S01874) is written in Latin, presumably in Spoleto, at an uncertain date, by the 9th c. at the latest. It narrates Pontianus’ arrest, tortures endured, death at the pons sanguinarius, and burial in the fundus Lucianus near the walls of Spoleto.

Martyrdom of Pontianus (BHL 6891)

Summary:

§ 1: There is a persecution against Christians at the time of the emperor Antoninus. The judge (iudex) Fabianus is sent to Spoleto to compel Christians to offer sacrifice to the gods. He holds a tribunal and assembles all the people, telling them that anyone who refuses to sacrifice will be sentenced to death. Many agree to sacrifice but many keep the faith and are martyred.

§ 2: A certain God-fearing man named Pontianus refuses to sacrifice and is brought before the judge, who unsuccessfully tries to convince him to abandon Christianity and to adore pagan gods.

§ 3: Pontianus is stripped and severely beaten, but he persists in his faith. Fabianus gives Pontianus the choice between throwing incense on burning coals or walking barefoot over them. Pontianus makes a sign of the cross on his forehead and walks over the coals, challenging Fabianus to put his hand in hot water and be freed by Jupiter. Angered Fabianus orders Pontianus to be tortured on a rack; after this the torturers are exhausted.

§§ 4-5: Pontianus is sent to prison. Many religious people (religiosi) come to him and comfort him. Then Fabianus orders Pontianus to be brought to the amphitheatre, where two lions are sent to him. Pontianus prays to Christ for help and the lions are tamed and start adoring him. All the people proclaim that the Christian God is great and ask for Pontianus to be freed. Fabianus orders Pontianus to be sent back to prison and left there for 12 days to starve to death. In the middle of the night an angel of the Lord appears to him with heavenly food and comforts him. After twelve days the ministers find Pontianus alive and chanting Psalm 118:6.

§§ 6-7: The ministers tell the judge (praeses) Fabianus who orders molten lead to be poured over Pontianus but this does not harm him. Fabianus again summons Pontianus to offer sacrifice but he refuses, rejecting the idols. Fabianus orders Pontianus to be killed. Pontianus is taken to be executed, then, kneeling, he thanks God and asks Him to receive his spirit. The executioner kills him. Pontianus was martyred on the 19th day before the Calends of February [= 14 January]. Christians come at night, take his body from the ‘bloody bridge’ (pons sanguinarius) and bury it not far from the walls of the city, in the fundus Lucianus, on the 15th day before the Calends of February [= 18 January].

Text: Acta Sanctorum, Ian. I, 933-934. Summary: M. Pignot.