Anabaptist Church History
Language: English

Second- and twelfth-century witnesses · place

Lyons and the Rhône

The Rhône accounts preserve the witness of Blandina and her companions; the medieval account returns to Lyons in the story of Peter Waldo. The place links two distinct periods of Christian witness.

Waldo’s account emphasizes almsgiving and teaching Scripture in the language of the people. The second-century suffering and the twelfth-century ministry retain their separate dates and source passages.

Sources for this history: [1] [2]

References

  1. Maturus, sanctus, blandina, and a youth from pontus, most miserably tormented, on the river rhone, about the year 172.
  2. Of the conversion of peter waldo, and the rise of the waldenses, etc.

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Maturus, Sanctus, Blandina, And A Youth From Pontus, Most Miserably Tormented, On The River Rhone, About The Year 172.Of The Conversion Of Peter Waldo, And The Rise Of The Waldenses, Etc.

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Peter Waldo

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12th century (source section)Source account

Of The Conversion Of Peter Waldo, And The Rise Of The Waldenses, Etc.

M. Matthias Flaccius Illyricus (in his Catalog. Tesitum Veritatis, between fol. 263, and fol. 277, 265 according to Jac. Mehrning in Bapt. Hist., page 601), writes: “About A. D. 1160, several of the principal citizens of Lyons were together, conversing on various matters, as is…

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c. 172person

Blandina

Blandina appears with Maturus, Sanctus, and a youth from Pontus among the Christians persecuted on the Rhône. Martyrs’ Mirror describes her confession of Christ as the source of her strength through repeated torments.

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c. 1160–1170: conversion and beginningsperson

Peter Waldo

Peter Waldo was a wealthy citizen of Lyons whom Martyrs’ Mirror describes as moved to repentance after the sudden death of a companion. He gave generously to the poor and began teaching Scripture in the language understood by the people who came to hear him.

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