[January 7.]
S. Lucian, P. M., at Antioch, circ. a.d. 312.
S. Nicetas, B. C., circ. a.d. 402.
S. Valentine, B. of Passau, circ. a.d. 440.
S. Cedd, B. of London, a.d. 664.
S. Tyllo, Monk in Gaul, circ. 700.
B. Wittekind, Duke of Westphalia, a.d. 800.
S. Rainold, Monk and M., of Dortmund, in Westphalia.
S. Aldric, B. of Le Mans, in France, circ. a.d. 855.
S. Canute, Duke of Schleswig, a.d. 1133.
S. LUCIAN, P. M., OF ANTIOCH.
(about 312.)
[Commemorated on this day by the Latins, on the 15th October by the Greeks. This S. Lucian is not to be confused with S. Lucian of Beauvais, commemorated on Jan. 8th. He is spoken of by S. Jerome and Theodoret. S. Chrysostom has a homily on S. Lucian. Information concerning him is also obtained from the Greek Menæa, and from the Acts of his martyrdom in Metaphrastes.]
aint Lucian was born at Samosata, in Syria; his parents were Christians, and sought above all things to educate their son in the fear of God. Both died and left him an orphan at the age of twelve, and the boy, in his desolation, distributed his goods to the poor, and took refuge with Macarius at Edessa, who taught out of Holy Scripture the things concerning eternal life. Arrived at man's estate, he was ordained priest, and opened a school at Antioch, and diligently laboured at procuring a correct version of the Holy Scriptures, by comparing together the different Hebrew copies. His version of the sacred writings was used by S. Jerome, and proved of much assistance to him in his work of writing the Vulgate.