Saint of the Day – 7 January – Saint Lucian of Antioch (Died 312) Confessor, Priest, Martyr, Teacher, Theologian, Writer, Founder of the renowned School of Antioch. Born in Samosata. Syria in the 2nd Century and died after many tortures by the sword in 312 at Nicomedia, Bithynia (modern Izmid, Turkey). Also known as – Lucian of Drepana, Lucian of Nicomedië, Lucian of Nicomedia, Lucian the Martyr, Lucian of Samosata, Luciano… Lucianus… Lucian means ‘the shining one‘ (Latin).

The Roman Martyrology reads: “The birthday of the blessed Lucian. a Priest of the Church of Antioch and Martyr, who was distinguished for his learning and eloquence. He suffered at Nicomedia for the confession of Christ, in the persecution of Galerius Maximian and was buried at Helenopolis, in Bithynia. His praises have been proclaimed by St John Chrysostom.”

Lucian came from a respected family, was educated in Edessa – today’s Sanlıurfa – and then worked as a Priest and teacher in Antioch – today’s Antakya/Hatay. He founded the famous Antiochene school – it used literal, grammatical-historical explanations to interpret Scripture which was in contrast to the allegorical interpretation of the Scriptures taught in Alexandria and, therefore, had a reputation for rationalism.

After the condemnation of Bishop Paul of Samosata in 268 and his teaching that Jesus Christ was a normal human being, Lucian, although not subscribing to this view, also found himself increasingly in opposition to the official teaching and soon no longer belonged to the community in Antioch.  Arius, the founder of Arianism , was then one of Lucian’s students, whose followers initially called themselves Syllukianists after Lucian – (meaning: “like-minded with Lucian”).

It seems Lucian corrected his errors and in 285 made peace with the Church and was re-admitted into full communion with the community of Antioch

Lucian was in Nicomedia (today Izmid in Turkey), when Emperor Diocletian’s persecutions broke out and he was imprisoned there for nine years. Twice he was interrogated, when he defended himself ably and refused to deny Christ. In the winter of 311/312 Lucian was brought before Emperor Maximinus Daza, where he presumably suffered Martyrdom after making a profession of his faith. His speech before the Emperor has been preserved but its authenticity is disputed. He was either starved to death, or more likely, killed by sword in 312. His body was taken to Drepanum, which was nearby. Emperor Constantine renamed it Helenopolis in memory of his mother – today’s Hersek -.

According to St Jerome’s testimony, a summary of the Sacred Scriptures published by Lucian was used for a long time, from Constantinople – today’s Istanbul – to Antioch. A surviving creed written by Lucian, according to which Jesus Christ was not Consubstantial but only Consubstantial with God, was also widespread.  Lucian’s life story, written in the middle of the 4th Century, comes from Arian representatives.

Lucian’s grave in Drepanon – today’s Hersek – was first venerated by the followers of Arianism but by the end of the 4th Century, Lucian was included in the Church’s list of Saints.

St John Chrysostom gave him an Eulogy, St Eusebius of Caesarea praised him as a Priest of the community in Antioch who was excellent in all his conduct and as a very excellent man in every respect, of a strict way of life and well versed in the Sacred sciences . St Helena had a Church built in his honour in Antioch which was probably Consecrated on 15 October. In the Russian Orthodox Church, Lucian is incorrectly referred to as a Bishop because of his importance.

Canonisation: – As early as the end of the 4th Century, Lucian was included in the list of Saints despite his earlier critical relationship with the official Church.