Diodorus of Rome

Holy Martyr Diodorus of Rome, also called Dior, was beheaded with the sword in the year 301, in the time of the persecution of Diocletian, together with Saint Lucia, Rix, also called Autius, and other martyrs. They are commemorated on 19 July: Lucia, Rix, Anthony, Lucian, Isidore, Dion, Diodorus, Cutonius, Aronos, Capicus and Satur. Nothing is said of Diodorus in particular, except his name.

Lucia came from Campania in Italy and gave herself to God from her youth. While still very young, she fell captive to Rix, the chieftain of a Germanic people, who took her to a foreign land. At first Rix forced her to bow to the gods, but, seeing her strength in the faith and her readiness to suffer for the Name of Christ, he came to honour her deeply and gave her and her maidservants a house of their own, where they lived in solitude and unceasing prayer. Going to war, Rix asked for her prayers with reverence and returned victorious. After twenty years, learning of the persecution of Diocletian, Lucia asked him to let her go to Italy, to glorify the Lord together with those of her own people. Rix, who had meanwhile accepted Christianity through her influence, himself longed for martyrdom; he left his palace and family and set out with her for Rome. By the sentence of the prefect Elius they were beheaded with the sword. After them Anthony, Lucian, Isidore, Dion, Diodorus, Cutonius, Aronos, Capicus and Satur were beheaded.