Lucia of Rome

Holy Martyr Lucia of Rome, born in the Italian region of Campania, suffered in the year 301, in the persecution of Diocletian, together with Rix (Avtius) and other martyrs. From youth she had devoted herself to God and lived in purity and strictness.

While still young she fell captive to Rix, the chief of a Germanic tribe, who took her to a foreign land. He tried to push her into pagan rites, but seeing her unshaken in faith and ready to suffer for the Name of Christ, he began to honour her deeply and gave her and her maidservants a separate house, where they spent their time in unceasing prayer. When he set out on campaigns, Rix timidly asked Lucia for her prayers and returned with victory.

After twenty years Lucia heard that the emperor Diocletian had raised a persecution against Christians and asked Rix to let her go to Italy, to glorify the Lord together with her own people. Rix had accepted Christianity under her influence and desired the martyr's struggle too. He left his palace and family and went with Lucia to Rome. The Roman prefect Elius condemned them both, and they were beheaded with the sword. After them the martyrs Antony, Lucian, Isidore, Dion, Diodorus, Cutonius, Aronos, Capicus and Satur were also beheaded, in the year 301.

They are commemorated on 19 July, in the new style.