Lucina of Rome

Holy Martyr Lucina of Rome is commemorated with Pope Marcellus and a series of Roman martyrs who suffered under Diocletian, Maximian, Galerius and Maxentius (284-312). Of her the page says only that she and Priscilla owned an estate near Rome, where Pope Marcellus buried the bodies of the martyrs Cyriacus, Smaragdus and Largus, turning Lucina's house into a church, and that she was then driven out of the city in dishonour and her property plundered. Pope Marcellus died in 310.

The background

Maximian removed Christians from the army and sent them to forced labour. A rich Christian, Thrason, sent food and clothing to the prisoners through the deacons Sisinnius and Cyriacus and through Smaragdus and Largus, and Pope Marcellus ordained the first two deacons. Seized and set to work, Sisinnius and Cyriacus also did the work of an aged prisoner, Saturninus. Sisinnius was handed to the governor Laodicius; the prison chief, Apronianus, seeing his face shining, believed, was baptized and chrismated by Marcellus and was beheaded when he confessed his faith. Sisinnius and Saturninus were condemned after, at Saturninus' prayer, the idols' tripods melted and the soldiers Papias and Maurus believed; baptized secretly by Marcellus, they too died in torments.

Cyriacus and Artemia

The youngest daughter of Diocletian, Artemia, was tormented by a demon. Cyriacus healed and baptized her, and the emperor freed him, Smaragdus and Largus. Sent then to Persia, on his return he was seized by order of Galerius, who was angry with Diocletian over Artemia's baptism, and led naked in chains behind his chariot. Pope Marcellus openly rebuked the emperor's cruelty and was beaten and made a herdsman. Cyriacus, Smaragdus, Largus and Crescentianus died in torments; Artemia and twenty-⁠one other prisoners were also put to death.

Lucina's estate

Freed secretly by the Roman clergy, Marcellus dug up the bodies of Cyriacus, Smaragdus and Largus and buried them on the estate of Priscilla and Lucina, and Lucina's house became a church. Maxentius ordered it turned into a cattle yard and sentenced the pope to tend cattle for life; tormented by hunger, cold and stench, Marcellus died in 310. Priscilla and Lucina were driven out of Rome, and their estates plundered.

They are all commemorated on 20 June, in the new style.