St. Lucian, Priest and Martyr, was born at Samosta, Syria. Lucian was orphaned in his youth. He distributed his considerable material wealth to the poor. Afterward, Lucian jou
…rneyed to Edessa to live near the holy man, Macarius who taught Lucian sacred scripture. Through Macarius' example Lucian was led to the practice of Christian virtue. Lucian became a priest. As a priest, Lucian's time was spent celebrating the Mass, administering the sacraments, performing charitable works, and studying sacred scripture and literature. Lucian revised both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, expunging the errors in the texts that had accrued through negligence of the copyists or through the malice of heretics. He paved the way for St. Jerome, who translated the Latin Vulgate version of the Bible. Lucian was denounced as Christian, imprisoned and condemned to torture which he endured for 12 days. A Christian benefactor visited him in prison on the Feast of the Epiphany and brought him bread and wine. Though chained and on his back, Lucian, consecrated the elements, transubstantiating them into the mystical body and blood of Our Lord, then communicated the Eucharist to the Faithful who were present. Lucian died under torture, proclaiming "I am a Christian." Lucian's feast day is 7 January. (MORE)