Isidore of Rome

Holy Martyr Isidore of Rome suffered in the year 301, together with the Holy Martyr Lucia, with Rix and with other martyrs. The Church commemorates them on 19 July (new style).

Saint Lucia, a native of Campania in Italy, gave herself to God from youth and lived in strict purity. While still very young she was taken captive by the chief of a Germanic tribe, Rix, and led away to a foreign land. Rix at first compelled her to perform pagan rites, but seeing her firm in faith and ready to accept torments for the name of Christ, he came to have deep respect for her and even gave her and her maidservants a separate small house, where they lived in seclusion, in unceasing prayer. When he went out on campaigns, Rix reverently asked the prayers of Saint Lucia and returned with victories.

After twenty years, learning that the Emperor Diocletian had begun a persecution of Christians, Lucia asked Rix to let her go to Italy. She wished to glorify the Lord with her countrymen. Rix, under the influence of Saint Lucia, had by then accepted Christianity and himself been kindled with the desire for the martyr's struggle. Leaving his palace and family, he went with Saint Lucia to Rome. By the sentence of the Roman prefect Aelius, they were put to the sword. After them the holy martyrs Anthony, Lucian, Isidore, Dion, Diodorus, Cutonius, Aaron, Capicus and Saturus were beheaded.