Holy Martyrs Lucillian and with Him: Claudius, Hypatius, Paul, Dionysius, and the Maiden Paula

Life

Having grown old as a pagan and an idol-priest, Lucillian, as a gray-haired elder, recognized the Christian truth and was baptized. His conversion to Christianity caused great agitation among the pagans in Nicomedia, and he was brought to trial; and since he would not renounce his new faith, he was fiercely beaten and, all battered, was cast into prison. In prison he found four youths: Claudius, Hypatius, Paul, and Dionysius, imprisoned for the faith in Christ. The elder rejoiced in the youths and the youths in the elder, and together they all spent their time in pious conversation, prayers, and psalm-singing. When they were brought out of prison, they were subjected to various tortures, and finally sent to Byzantium, where the youths were beheaded by soldiers and Lucillian was crucified by the Jews. The malicious Jews pierced his whole body with nails. A certain maiden Paula took the bodies of the martyrs openly and buried them honorably. For this she was accused and, after tortures, was beheaded, receiving from the Lord two crowns: the crown of virginity and the crown of martyrdom. Their martyrdom occurred in the time of Emperor Aurelian, between the years 270-275.

From the Hymn of Praise

Little Demetrius, a small child, became a great saint,While Godunov the great murderer remained accursed forever.By love of power the power-lover never profits,It is a fire in two worlds, an unquenchable fire.