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Saint Lucian of Antioch
Image: Authors of Menologion of Basil II (circa 985 AC, Constantinople), Byzantine manuscript illuminators[1]: Pantoleon with G · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Saint Lucian of Antioch

Antioch presbyter who revised the Greek Bible and was martyred at Nicomedia in 312

Rank
Saint
Kind
Priest, Martyr
Life
~240 – ~312
Era
4th century
Feast
7 January
Countries
Türkiye, Syria
SyriaTürkiye

Life story

Lucian was born around 240. A tenth-century lexicon, the Suda, says he was born at Samosata, but no other author confirms this and it may be a confusion with the pagan satirist of the same name. He lived at Antioch, was ordained a presbyter and became head of the theological school there. His preference for reading Scripture literally, in contrast to the allegorical method of Alexandria, shaped Eastern exegesis for a long time.

When Paul of Samosata was condemned, Lucian came under suspicion of heresy and for a time was out of communion with the Church; he was reconciled around the start of Bishop Cyril's time, perhaps about 285. The Catholic Encyclopedia says he revised the Septuagint against the Hebrew and published a recension of the New Testament, both widely used in the fourth century. Arius and Eusebius of Nicomedia were among those trained under him, so scholars still debate how far his theology influenced them.

In the persecution under Maximinus Daza he was arrested at Antioch and taken to Nicomedia. He was tortured, delivered a defence of his faith before the court and was put to death. The date is usually given as 7 January 312, and the Catholic Church keeps his feast on that day; the Orthodox keep 15 October. The story that a dolphin carried his body ashore is a late legend with no reliable historical value.

Works and witness

  • Presbyter and head of the theological school of Antioch
  • Revised the Greek Bible, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia
  • Spent time out of communion with the Church before being reconciled
  • Arrested at Antioch and executed at Nicomedia on 7 January 312
  • The dolphin story is a late legend

Saints from the same country

Saint Paul, Saint Luke, Saint George, Saint Nicholas

References

  • Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent): 'Lucian of Antioch'
  • Orthodox Church in America, Lives of the Saints: Martyr Lucian the Presbyter of Antioch (via search summary)
  • Wikipedia article on Lucian of Antioch (read in full; date 312, legend flagged)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.