Canticle 1 Timothy 3
The mystery and glory of Christ
Praise the Lord, all you nations!
He was manifested in flesh, justified in spirit - praise the Lord, all you
nations!
He was seen by the angels, he was preached to the nations - praise the Lord, all
you nations!
The world believed in him, he was taken up in glory - praise the Lord, all you
nations!
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
<><><><>
January 7th - Lucian of Antioch, Martyr
Born at Samosata, Syria; died at Nicomedia, Bithynia, January 7, 312; feast day
in the East is October 15.
Saint Lucian was born of a wealthy family. After the death of his parents, he
gave all his possessions to the poor and dedicated himself to the study of
rhetoric, philosophy, and, under Macarius at Edessa, the Scriptures. Following
his ordination to the priesthood in Antioch, he headed (some say founded) the
theological school there of which the infamous heretic Arius was a member.
Lucian made it his chief duty to examine the variants of the texts of the Greek
version of the Old Testament and those of the four Gospels in order to record
them, to correct spellings, improve the style and make comments, which Saint
Jerome later declared quite important and used in preparing the Vulgate. Lucian
also did much to promote the understanding of Scripture in its literal sense.
Lucian was a student or associate of Paul of Samosata, who was condemned at
Antioch for heresy in 269, and it is possible that Lucian, too, was
excommunicated and remained so under three bishops. He lived in a period of
great disorder when heresy proliferated. Whether or not he was a known heretic,
it seems he was in communion with the Church in 285 and at his death.
Being at Nicomedia when Diocletian's persecution began, he was arrested in 303
and imprisoned there for nine years; he was twice brought up for examination,
when he defended himself ably and refused to renounce Christ. His Defense of
Christianity, addressed to his executioners, gives indisputable historical
evidence that Lucian underwent martyrdom for the faith:
"It has never been in secret or in some disgraceful way that we adored the unity
of God announced to us in Jesus Christ and whose faith is inspired in us by the
Holy Spirit," he wrote. He denounces the idols, exalts the beatitudes, invites
Christians to rejoice because of poverty, to preserve their gentleness as well
as to strive for peace. "Look at how the pagans fear us," he exclaims, "that
they must lead us before kings and tribunes as bound victims. But let them look
in the history books and they will see the miracles which inevitably follow our
deaths at their hand." He affirms the universality of redemption, declares that
the voice of the Church leads us to God, and emphasizes his own fidelity.
At his trial he was asked: "Who are you?" His reply is a famous one: "I am a
Christian."
"What is your profession?" "I am a Christian."
"What is your name?" "I am a Christian."
"Your origin?" "Christian."
"Your family?" "Christian."
To each question he gives the deservedly famous reply, one more audacious than
any writer could have invented, and which won the acclaim of Saint John
Chrysostom.
He was either starved to death or, more probably, killed by the sword, and was
buried nearby at Drepanum (later renamed Helenopolis by Constantine in honor of
his mother). Firm evidence of his cultus is provided by Eusebius, John
Chrysostom, and church dedications. Later on it was said that he had been
drowned in the sea and that his body had been brought to land by a dolphin. How
this piece of pagan folklore came to be attached to Saint Lucian is unknown
(Attwater, Benedictines, Delaney, Encyclopedia, Farmer).
Saint Lucian can be identified in art as a priest lying on potsherds in prison,
consecrating the Eucharist on his own breast (Roeder).
Spiritual Bouquet: His Mother said to the attendants, "Do whatever He tells
you." St. John 2:5
<><><><>
Martyrology
At Nicomedia, the birthday of Blessed Lucian, priest and martyr, of the
Church of Antioch. He won unusually great renown for his doctrine and
eloquence, and he suffered for confessing Christ in the persecution of
Maximian Galerius. He was buried at Helenopolis in Bithynia. St. John
Chrysostom highly praised him.
At Antioch, St. Cletus, deacon, who for his glorious confession of faith was
tortured seven times. He was incarcerated for a long time and at last was
beheaded, thus fulfilling his martyrdom.
In the city of Heracles, the holy martyrs Felix and Januarius.
On the same day, the martyr St. Julian.
In Denmark, St. Canute, king and martyr.
At Pavia (in Italy), St. Crispin, bishop and confessor.
In Dacia, St. Nicetas, bishop, who by preaching the Gospel made civilized
and humane some nations that before were savage and barbarous.
In Egypt, Blessed Theodore, monk, who grew in holiness in the time
.
|
