The Holy Martyrs Claudius, Lucillian, the youths Paul, Hypatius, Dionysius, and Paula the Virgin

Commemorated on June 3

Martyr Paula

The Holy Martyrs Claudius, Lucillian, the youths Paul, Hypatius, Dionysius, and Paula the Virgin suffered for Christ in the reign of the Roman emperor Aurelian (270-275).

Many pagans were converted to Christianity through the preaching of St Lucillian. Then certain Jews, seeing that he was spreading faith in Christ Whom they crucified, reported Lucillian to the Nicomedian prefect Silvanus, who urged the old man to return to idol-worship. When he refused, they smashed the saint’s jawbone, beat him with rods and suspended him head downward, and then they locked him in prison. Here he met four youths who were confessors of Christianity, Claudius, Hypatius, Paul and Dionysius. St Lucillian urged them to stand firm in the Faith, and to fear neither tortures nor death.

After a while they brought them to trial and then threw them into a red-hot furnace. Suddenly, rain fell and extinguished the flames, and the martyrs remained unharmed. The governor sentenced them to death, sending them to Byzantium to be executed. The holy youths were beheaded by the sword, and the holy martyr Lucillian was nailed to a cross with many nails.

TROPARION - TONE 1

Like a radiant star you shone out of the night of error, / Slaying the crafty enemy, O Lucillian. / Together with Holy Paula and the four youths / Pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

KONTAKION -TONE  1

On approaching the fire You were not burned, / O Lucillian wise and courageous martyr, / For You received the refreshing dew of God. / Therefore You work wonders beyond nature in joy, / Together with the holy children remember us.

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SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2013(with 2012's link here also and further, 2011, 2010, 2009 and even 2008!)