Subj : January 7th - Saint Lucian of Antioch, Martyr To : All From : rich Date : Sat Jan 06 2018 09:08:27 From: rich January 7th - Saint Lucian of Antioch, Martyr (also know as Saint Loukianos,), d. 312 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.' " Deuteronomy 18:17-18 <><><><> 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) .