From: rich <
richarra@gmail.com>
January 7th - Saint Lucian of Antioch, Martyr
=C2 (also know as Saint Loukianos,),
d. 312
=C2 Saint Eusebius described Saint Lucian as follows: "Among the martyrs
at Antioch was Lucian, a presbyter of that parish, whose entire life
was most excellent. At Nicodemia, in the presence of the emperor, he
proclaimed the heavenly kingdom of Christ, first in an oral defense,
and afterwards by deeds as well."
Saint Lucian was born into a wealthy, noble family in Samosata--a city
in Syria. Receiving the finest education from birth, Lucian
demonstrated great knowledge and academic prowess both in secular and
spiritual matters. He spent the majority of his time in study, prayer,
and contemplation, embracing both an austere and ascetic lifestyle.
Due to his wisdom and piety, he was well respected, and served as a
model of faithfulness and charity to those he encountered.
Lucian distributed his wealth, and the wealth of his parents upon
their deaths, to the poor, preferring to support himself through hard
work and service. He labored over academic instructional manuals and
texts, and spent hours translating and correcting Church texts which
had been distorted by the Arian heretics. He was appointed a presbyter
(leader of the congregation) in Antioch.
During the Christian persecutions of Emperor Maximian, Saint Lucian
was among those identified and arrested. He was imprisoned and
brutally tortured for his Christian faith, which he, of course,
refused to recant. Countless faithful were tortured and killed,
including children. Among the martyrs of that time were Saint Pelagia,
Saint Victor the Moor, Saint Maurice and the Martyrs of the Theban
Legion, and many others.
Lucian was starved in prison for many weeks, but held true to his
faith. Saint John Chrysostom wrote of this holy man: "He scorned
hunger: let us also scorn luxury and destroy the power of the stomach
that we may, when the time that requires such courage comes for us, be
prepared in advance by the help of a lesser ascesis, to show ourselves
glorious at the time of battle."
Following Holy Communion, Saint Lucian was martyred on the Theophany,
run through by a sword. His courage and life devoted to quiet
faith-filled pursuits encourage us to proudly wear our faith--despite objections or criticism from others--just as Saint Lucian proudly
wears the crown of Martyrdom!
=E2=80=9CThe saints of God place great importance on receiving Holy Communi=
on
before their death. Even though they were sacrificing their lives for
Christ the Lord and washing away all their sins by the blood of
martyrdom, the martyrs longingly received the Holy Mysteries whenever
it was possible. St. Lucian was in prison with several of his
disciples and other Christians. On the eve of Theophany [Epiphany],
Lucian longed, on such a great Christian feast, to partake of the Body
and Blood of Christ, for he knew that his death was imminent. Seeing
the sincere desire of His sufferer, God Almighty arranged that some
Christians pass bread and wine into the prison.
When the Feast of Theophany dawned, Lucian called all the Christian
prisoners to stand in a circle around him and said to them: =E2=80=9CSurrou=
nd
me and be the Church.=E2=80=9D He had no table, chair, stone or wood in the prison upon which to celebrate the Divine Liturgy. =E2=80=9CHoly Father, wh= ere
shall we place the bread and wine?=E2=80=9D they asked Lucian. He lay down =
in
their midst and said: =E2=80=9CPlace them on my chest, let it be a living
altar for the Living God!=E2=80=9D And thus the Liturgy was celebrated correctly and prayerfully on the chest of the martyr, and all received
Holy Communion. The next day, the emperor sent soldiers to bring
Lucian out for torture. When the soldiers opened the door of the
prison, St. Lucian cried out three times: =E2=80=9CI am a Christian! I am a Christian! I am a Christian!=E2=80=9D and with that, he gave up his soul to
his God.=E2=80=9D
Saint Quote:
It ought to be our principal object to conquer ourselves, and from day
to day to go on increasing in spiritual strength and perfection. But,
above all, it is necessary that we should study to overcome our little temptations to anger, suspicion, jealousy, envy, duplicity, vanity,
foolish attachments, evil thoughts, and so on: for, by so doing, we
shall gain strength to resist more violent temptations.
--St. Francis of Sales
Bible Quote:
"Then Yahweh said to me, 'What they have said is well said, from their
own brothers I shall raise up a prophet like yourself; I shall put my
words into his mouth and he will tell them everything I command him.
Anyone who refuses to listen to my words, spoken by him in my name,
will have to render an account to me.' " =C2 Deuteronomy 18:17-18
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Prayer
Gracious God, in every age you have sent men and women who have given
their lives in witness to your love and truth. Inspire us with the
memory of St. Lucian of Antioch, whose faithfulness led to the way of
the cross, and give us courage to bear full witness with our lives to
your Son's victory over sin and death, for he lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
--- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
* Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)