HE was priest of Smyrna, a true heir of the spirit of St. Polycarp, an
apostolic man, who converted multitudes to the faith. He excelled in
eloquence, and in the science of our holy religion. The paleness of his
countenance bespoke the austerity of his life. In the persecution of
Decius, in 250, on the 23d of February, he was apprehended with Sabina
and Asclepiades, while they were celebrating the anniversary festival of
St. Polycarp's martyrdom. Pionius, after having fasted the eve with his
companions, was forewarned thereof by a vision. On the morning after
their solemn prayer, taking the holy bread (probably the eucharist) and
water, they were surprised and seized by Polemon, the chief priest, and
the guardian of the temple. In prolix interrogatories before him, they
resisted all solicitations to sacrifice; professed they were ready to
suffer the worst of torments and deaths rather than consent to his
impious proposals, and declaring that they worshipped one only God, and
that they were of the Catholic church. Asclepiades being asked what God
he adored, made answer: "Jesus Christ." At which Polemon said: "Is that
another God?" Asclepiades replied: "No; he is the same they have just
now confessed." A clear confession of the consubstantiality of God the
Son, before the council of Nice. Being all threatened to be burnt alive,
Sabina smiled. The pagans said: "Dost thou laugh? thou shalt then be led
to the public stews." She answered: "God will be my protector on that
occasion." They were cast into prison, and preferred a lower dungeon,
that they might be more at liberty to pray when alone. They were carried
by force into the temple, and all manner of violence was used to compel
them to sacrifice. Pionius tore the impious garlands which were put upon
his head, and they resisted with all their might. Their constancy
repaired the scandal given by Eudaemon, the bishop of Smyrna, there
present, who had impiously apostatized and offered sacrifice. In the
answers of St. Pionius to the judges, and in all the circumstances of
his martyrdom, we admire the ardent piety and courage of one who had
entirely devoted himself to God, and employed his whole life in his
service. When Quintilian the proconsul arrived at Smyrna, he caused
Pionius to be hung on the rack, and his body to be torn with iron hooks,
and afterwards condemned him to be burned alive; he was accordingly
nailed to a trunk or post, and a pile heaped round him and set on fire.
Metrodorus, a Marcionite priest, underwent the same punishment with him.
His acts were written by eye-witnesses, quoted by Eusebius, l. 4, c. 15,
and are extant genuine in Ruinart, p. 12. See Tillemont t. 3, p. 397;
Bollandus, Feb. t. 1, p. 37.
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