Dionysius of Byzantium

Holy Martyr Dionysius of Byzantium was one of the four young confessors, with Claudius, Hypatius and Paul, who suffered together with Saint Lucillian in the time of the Emperor Aurelian (270-275). Holy Martyr Paula suffered in the same company.

Lucillian had been a pagan priest. In old age he came to see that the pagan religion was false, turned with all his soul to Christ and was baptized. Through his preaching many pagans began to turn to Christianity, and the Jews denounced him to Silvanus, the governor of Nicomedia. Silvanus tried to turn him back to the idols. Because he refused, Lucillian's jaws were crushed, he was beaten with rods and hung head downward.

Then he was shut in prison, where he met the four youths Claudius, Hypatius, Paul and Dionysius, confessors of Christ, whom he strengthened to stand firm in the faith and not to fear torment and death.

After a time they were brought to trial and thrown into a blazing furnace, but a rain that fell suddenly put out the flames and they remained unharmed. The governor condemned them to death and sent them to Byzantium for the execution. The youths were beheaded, and Lucillian was nailed to a cross with many nails.

The virgin Paula witnessed their struggle. She had given herself to serving those who suffered for Christ: she brought food to the Christian prisoners, washed their wounds, brought medicines and buried the bodies of the martyrs. After the death of Lucillian and the four, she returned to Nicomedia and continued her service. She was seized and thrown into a furnace, but by the power of God she remained unharmed. Then she was sent to Byzantium and beheaded.

The Synaxarion commemorates Lucillian, Claudius, Hypatius, Paul, Dionysius and Paula on 16 June (new style).