Lucian of Antioch

Lucian of Antioch (d. 312), martyr. Born at Samosata (Syria), he became a priest at Antioch; he was specially interested in emending the corrupt texts of Scripture then current, and in propagating its literal sense. He also founded an important theological school, one of whose members was Arius, whose followers sometimes called themselves Lucianists. Although he was involved in the schism of Antioch and although his orthodoxy was highly suspect, he made his peace with the Church in 285 and died in full communion at Nicomedia. His body was taken to Drepanum (renamed Helenopolis by Constantine in memory of his mother); firm evidence of his cult is provided by Eusebius and John Chrysostom, and by church dedications. A later Legend of which he is the hero has been claimed as one evolved from pagan myth. Feast: in the West, 7 January; in the East, 15 October.

Bibliography
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• Eusebius, H.E., viii. xiii. 2 and ix. vi. 3; St. John Chrysostom in P.G., l. 519 ff.; AA.SS. Ian. I (1643), 357–64; G. Bardy, Recherches sur S. Lucien d'Antioche (1936); H. Delehaye, The Legends of the Saints (1962), pp. 147–50