A disciple of St. Polycarp, like his priest Irenaeus, his successor, P. was bishop of Lyons and was over ninety years old. Captured by soldiers, he was dragged before the tribunal of the city’s governor, followed by a jeering mob. During the interrogation the governor asked him who the God of the Christians was, and P. wisely replied: “You will know Him, if you are worthy.” At this answer the crowd enraged dragged him away, striking him mercilessly with kicks and fists; taken to prison, he died there two days later from the injuries he had sustained.
Bibl.: Eusebius, *Hist. Eccl.*, V. 1; Tillemont, III, p. 10 ff.; *Martyrologium Romanum*, p. 220.