Holy Martyr Lucia the Virgin and Those Martyred with Her: Rixius, Antony, Lucian, Isidore, Dion, Diodorus, Kuthonius, Aronus, Capicus and Saturus (+301)

The holy Martyrs Lucia the Virgin, Rixius, Antony, Lucian, Isidore, Dion, Diodorus, Kuthonius, Aronus, Capicus and Saturus. Saint Lucia was born in Italy, in the region of Campania. From her youth she dedicated herself to the Lord and lived strictly and piously. The virgin was still very young when Rixius, the chieftain of one of the Germanic tribes, took her captive. At first the lawless ruler tried to force Lucia to offer sacrifice to the pagan idols, but gradually he became convinced that the confessor’s faith was unshakeable. This filled Rixius with deep respect for the saint, and he even gave her a small house, where the virgin spent her time in unceasing prayer with her maidservants. Before setting out on campaign the chieftain would ask Lucia for her blessing, and he always came home victorious.

Twenty years later the bride of Christ learned that the Emperor Diocletian had begun a persecution of the Christians, and she asked Rixius for permission to return to Italy: she wished to glorify the Lord together with her countrymen. By this time Rixius, under Lucia’s influence, had already been converted to the true faith. He too, desiring martyrdom, left his palace and family and went to Rome with the blessed virgin.

By order of the Christ-hating Roman prefect Helius the saints were beheaded. After them the holy Martyrs Antony, Lucian, Isidore, Dion, Diodorus, Kuthonius, Aronus, Capicus and Saturus were put to the sword (+301).