Lucy and Geminian

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For the bishop of Modena (d 397), see Geminianus.
Saints Lucy and Geminian
Martyrs
Died circa 290, Rome
Venerated in Roman Catholic Church; Eastern Orthodox Church
Feast General Roman Calendar of 1962: September 16
Eastern Christianity: September 17
Catholic cult suppressed Cult suppressed in 1969[1]
Saints Portal

Saints Lucy and Geminian (d. ca. 290 AD)[2] were venerated as saints and martyrs of Rome during the persecution of Diocletian. Veneration for them was ancient but their story is “only known from fabulous acts.”[3] They should not be confused with the better-known Lucy of Syracuse or Geminianus.

[edit] Biography

According to their legend, Lucy was a 75-year old widow and Geminian a young catechist. Lucy was accused by her son Eutropius (or Euprepius) of being a Christian. She was brought before Diocletian, who at first attempted to dissuade her and then placed her in a cauldron of burning pitch; Lucy lived for three days in the cauldron. When Diocletian heard that she was still alive, he ordered her to be carried around the city, with weights loaded on her body.[4]

When Lucy was paraded by Geminian’s house, the statues of Roman gods in his home shattered miraculously and a dove made the sign of the cross over Geminian’s head. He followed Lucy, asking for instruction in the Christian religion as well as baptism. A priest named Protasius helped him with his request. 75 people were converted to Christianity by the example of Geminian. The judge presiding at their trial was thrown from his horse on a stone bridge; his body was never found. Lucy and Geminian were ultimately beheaded.[5] They were buried by a woman named Maxima.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ St. Lucy & Geminian - Catholic Online
  2. ^ sometimes 300 AD or 304 AD is given as the date of their death.
  3. ^ Agnes Baillie Cunninghame Dunbar, A Dictionary of Saintly Women (Bell, 1904), 469.
  4. ^ Agnes Baillie Cunninghame Dunbar, A Dictionary of Saintly Women (Bell, 1904), 469.
  5. ^ Agnes Baillie Cunninghame Dunbar, A Dictionary of Saintly Women (Bell, 1904), 469.

[edit] External links