Welcome to the second installment of Church History Chums, where we look at a couple of guys and girls that changed the course of the church with their actions. Today's chum is a Christian young woman of twenty-six years of age. Her name? Blandina. Several theories about Blandina have been presented over the centuries, but the story I share with you now is just one theory.
It all began back in the 100s in Rome. Blandina, a girl living in Rome, was a young mother of a new baby at twenty-six. She supposedly lived with her elderly father. Blandina was also a Christian. Christian persecution and martyrdom was just beginning to occur in the depraved Roman Empire. Rome thought of Christianity as a quickly-spreading cult that must be stopped. News of Blandina's conversion was somehow relayed to the government. She was hauled before the proconsul (a proconsul was basically a Roman governor, who acted as a judge) and ordered to sacrifice to the Roman idols. Blandina refused. Upon her firm stance, she was thrown in a dark, tiny dungeon and was forbidden to see her baby. But two kind jail guards often let her out for hours at a time to walk in the fresh air and nurse her baby. Later, Blandina was hauled before another judge with several other Christians. She and the others were ordered to deny the name of Jesus. All the Christians that stood before her remained firm. When it was Blandina's turn, her father came out, carrying her baby! He begged her to save her life and deny Christ for the sake of her baby. It was so touching, even the judge began to tear up. He gently encouraged her denial as well. But Blandina refused. "I will not sacrifice," she said boldy.
"Are you a Christian?" asked the judge.
"I am a Christian," Blandina said firmly.
I'll spare you the details, but Blandina went through numerous more tortures before she was finally killed by gladiators as a show for others and a punishment for her religion.
Blandina changed the church by her martyrdom. She served as an example to others. Many others refused to recount their faith because of her bold witness. We can be encouraged (just as we were with Polycarp) to always be bold in our stances and beliefs. As you think about this true story, I want to share with you a verse to dwell on.
“And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” Revelation 12:11