Lucian of Lentini

Saint Lucian of Lentini, hierarch, was bishop of Lentini in Sicily in the 6th century. He is venerated both in the Western Church and in the Orthodox Churches, and is remembered on 3 January in the Byzantine synaxaria and in the Roman Martyrology.

His life is known from the Life of the holy martyr brothers Alphius, Philadelphus and Cyrinus, who suffered at Lentini in the time of Decius' persecution. When he was a deacon, Bishop Crescens, who despised the veneration of relics, wished to throw away the relics of the three martyrs. Lucian took them and hid them in the monastery of Saint Philip of Fragalà. Crescens was removed, and in 538 Lucian was consecrated the ninth bishop of Lentini.

He led a devout life, repaired the damage done by his predecessor, increased the veneration of the three martyr brothers and worked several miracles. In times of famine and plague he ordered three days of fasting, and the punishment was turned away. He remained bishop for twenty-⁠seven years. He was buried at the entrance of the basilica of Santa Maria della Cava, today the mother church of Lentini.