Saint Pothinus was a 2nd-century Christian leader who served as the first bishop of Lyon and the inaugural bishop of Gaul. Born in Phrygia around 87 AD, he was a student of Polycarp of Smyrna and traveled to Rome with his mentor in 158 AD. Following instructions from Pope Anicetus, he moved to Gaul to spread the faith, where he established a thriving church community that he led for nearly two decades.