Capicus of Rome

Holy Martyr Capicus of Rome received a martyr's death in the year 301, beheaded at Rome after the Holy Martyr Lucia and Rix. The Church commemorates him on 19 July (new style).

Saint Lucia, a native of Campania in Italy, had devoted her life to God from youth. While still very young she was taken captive by the chief of a Germanic tribe, Rix, and led to a foreign land. Rix at first compelled her to pagan customs, but, seeing her unshaken in faith, he began to respect her and gave her and her maidservants a separate house, where they lived in unceasing prayer. When he went to war he asked her prayers and returned victorious. After twenty years, Lucia learned that Diocletian had begun a persecution and asked Rix to let her go to Italy. Rix, who had meanwhile become a Christian, left his palace and family and went with her to Rome. By the sentence of the prefect Aelius they were put to the sword. After them the martyrs Anthony, Lucian, Isidore, Dion, Diodorus, Cutonius, Aaron, Capicus and Saturus were beheaded.