Dion of Rome

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

Saint Lucia, born in Campania, gave herself to God from her youth and lived purely and strictly. Very young, she was taken captive by Rix, the chieftain of a Germanic people. Rix tried to force her to carry out pagan customs, but, seeing her unshaken, began to honour her; he gave her and her maidservants a house of their own, where they lived in unceasing prayer, and, when he set out for war, he asked for her prayers and returned victorious. After twenty years Lucia, learning of the persecution of Diocletian, asked him to let her go to Italy. Rix, who had meanwhile become a Christian, left his palace and family and set out with her for Rome. The prefect Elius condemned them and they were beheaded with the sword. After them Anthony, Lucian, Isidore, Dion, Diodorus, Cutonius, Aronos, Capicus and Satur were beheaded.