Cutonius of Rome

Holy Martyr Cutonius of Rome was one of the martyrs who suffered at Rome around the year 301, together with the holy martyr Lucia and Rix (Avcius). The Azbyka page mentions them all together: Lucia, Rix, Anthony, Lucian, Isidore, Dion, Diodorus, Cutonius, Aronos, Capicus and Satur.

Saint Lucia, a native of the Italian region of Campania, gave herself to God from youth and lived strictly and chastely. Still very young, she fell captive to the chief of a Germanic tribe, Rix, and was taken to a foreign land. At first Rix forced her to observe pagan rites, but, seeing her steadfastness in faith and her readiness to endure torments for the Name of Christ, he came to respect her deeply and gave her and her maidservants a separate little house, where they lived in solitude, in unceasing prayer. When he went out to war, Rix reverently asked Lucia's prayers and returned victorious.

After twenty years Lucia learned that the emperor Diocletian had begun a persecution of Christians and asked Rix to let her go to Italy, to glorify the Lord together with her countrymen. Rix, under Lucia's influence, had by then accepted Christianity and he too desired martyrdom. Leaving his palace and family, he went with Lucia to Rome. By sentence of the Roman prefect Elias they were beheaded. After them the holy martyrs Anthony, Lucian, Isidore, Dion, Diodorus, Cutonius, Aronos, Capicus and Satur were beheaded († 301).

Saint Cutonius is commemorated on 19 July, in the new style. Their passion is also found in the Lives of the Saints by Saint Dimitry of Rostov.