 St. Lucian
Name: St. Lucian
Date: 7 January
Saint Lucian was born at Samosata in Syria. Having lost his parents in his youth, he distributed tothe poor all his worldly goods, of which he had inherited an abundant share, and withdrew toEdessa, to live near a holy man named Macarius, who imbued his mind with a knowledge of HolyScripture and led him to the practice of the Christian virtues. Having become a priest, his timewas divided between the external duties of his holy state, the performance of works of charity,and the study of sacred writings. Saint Lucian revised the books of the Old and New Testaments, expunging the errors which hadfound their way into the text either through the negligence of copyists or the malice of heretics.His translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek was universally esteemed and was very useful toSaint Jerome, for whom he prepared the way. Soon afterwards the latter was to give to the worldthe Latin translation of the Bible known as the Vulgate. Having been denounced as a Christian during the persecution of Maximin, Lucian was throwninto prison and condemned to torture, which was protracted for twelve whole days. A group ofChristians visited him in prison on the feast of the Epiphany, and brought bread and wine to him;while bound and chained down on his back, he consecrated the divine mysteries upon his ownbreast, that the faithful who were present might receive Holy Communion. He finished hisglorious career in prison, and died with the words, “I am a Christian,” on his lips. |
