Saint Lucillian was a pagan priest during the reign of the Roman emperor Aurelian (270-275). In his old age, he became convinced of the falseness of the pagan religion and wholeheartedly turned to faith in Christ the Saviour, eventually being baptized.
His preaching led to the conversion of many pagans to Christianity. However, certain Jews, alarmed by his spreading of the Christian faith, reported Lucillian to the Nicomedia prefect Silvanus. When he refused to return to idol-worship, they subjected him to severe torture, including smashing his jawbone, beating him with rods, and suspending him upside down before locking him in prison. In prison, he met four young Christian confessor – Claudius, Hypatius, Paul, and Dionysius – whom he encouraged to stand firm in their faith despite the threats of torture and death.
Subsequently, they were all brought to trial and thrown into a red-hot furnace. Miraculously, rain fell and extinguished the flames, leaving the martyrs unharmed. Despite this miracle, the governor sentenced them to death and they were sent to Byzantium for execution. The four young men were beheaded by the sword, while Saint Lucillian was crucified with multiple nails.
A holy virgin named Paula witnessed the martyrdom of these saints and dedicated herself to serving those suffering for Christ. She provided food, medical care, and burial for Christian prisoners and martyrs. After the death of Saint Lucillian and the young men, she continued her service in Nicomedia until her own arrest. Despite being cast into a furnace and later beheaded in Byzantium, she remained unharmed by the power of God.
Saint Lucillian, once a pagan priest near Nicomedia, embraced Christianity in his later years during the reign of Aurelian. Despite facing brutal torture and imprisonment, he remained steadfast in his faith. Alongside the four young Christian men, he endured trials and ultimately met a martyr’s death in Byzantium.
The martyrdom of Saint Lucillian and his companions, as well as the courageous witness of the virgin Paula, is remembered as a testament to their unwavering faith and devotion to Christ. Their sacrifices during the reign of Emperor Aurelian serve as an inspiration to believers throughout history.
Source: oca.org / goarch.org / westserbdio.org