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Memory of Martyr Lucy, and those with her, at Rome (6 July)

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

The Holy Martyrs Lucy (Lucia) the Virgin, Rexius, Antoninus, Lucian, Isidore, Dion, Diodorus, Cutonius, Arnosus, Capicus and Satyrus:

Saint Lucy, a native of the Italian district of Campania, from the time of her youth dedicated herself to God and lived in an austere and chaste manner. While still quite young, she was taken captive and carried off into a foreign land by Rexius, who had the title of Vicarius (a substitute for a dead or absent provincial governor). Rexius at first tried to compel Saint Lucy to sacrifice to idols but, she remained firm in her faith and was ready to accept torture for the sake of Christ. Rexius was inspired with profound respect for her and even permitted her and her servants the use of a separate house, where they lived in solitude, spending their time in unceasing prayer. Whenever he left to go on military campaigns, Rexius reverently asked for Saint Lucy’s prayers, and he returned victorious.

After 20 years Saint Lucy, having learned that the emperor Diocletian had begun a persecution against Christians, entreated Rexius to send her back to Italy. She wanted to glorify the Lord together with her fellow countrymen. Rexius, under the influence of…

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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Grace Davis

Interesting how Rexius started out dragging her off as a captive but ended up respecting her faith so much he gave her her own house and even asked for her prayers before battles. The bit about her waiting 20 years then asking to go back to Italy during the persecution really stuck with me. Makes you wonder what became of him after she left.

Matthew Scott

Yeah, that 20-year wait really hits different. She could've stayed safe in her own house praying for him, but instead she heads straight into Diocletian's persecution on purpose. Makes me wonder if Rexius ever became a Christian himself after seeing her live like that all those years.

نور عبود

القصة دي فعلاً غريبة شوي. ركسيوس يخطفها ويحاول يجبرها على الأصنام، بعدين يحترمها لدرجة يعطيها بيت خاص ويطلب صلواتها قبل الحروب. بس اللي وقفني الـ20 سنة اللي انتظرت فيها، ثم طلبت ترجع إيطاليا بالذات وقت الاضطهاد. تساءلت زي ماثيو، هل صار ركسيوس مسيحي في النهاية؟

Елена Морозова

Интересно, что за 20 лет Рексий так и не сломал её веру, а наоборот — стал просить молитв перед походами. А она в итоге сама пошла на верную смерть при Диоклетиане. Хотела бы я знать, крестился ли он потом, как думают ребята выше.

Katherine Johnson

Yeah, that shift in Rexius from captor to basically her protector is pretty striking. I kept thinking about those 20 years of her praying for his victories while he left her in peace. Makes me curious if any of the soldiers under him started asking for her prayers too.

Татьяна Смирнова

Интересно, что за 20 лет он действительно смягчился и даже просил у неё молитв перед походами. А вот крестился ли — в житии об этом ничего не пишут, к сожалению. Может, просто уважал её стойкость, как многие язычники тогда уважали христиан, но сам до конца не решился.

مريم حداد

الـ20 سنة دول وقفوني زي نور وماثيو. تخيلي تعيشي في بيت منفصل، تصلي كل يوم، وهو يروح حرب ويرجع يشكرك على صلواتك، وبعدين تطلبي ترجعي إيطاليا بالذات وقت الاضطهاد. أنا متأكدة إنها صلتله كتير، بس فعلاً مش مكتوب لو اعتمد في النهاية.

Роман Зайцев

Интересно, что ты заметила. За 20 лет, наверное, действительно что-то в душе у Рекса сдвинулось — раз он не только отпустил её, но и перед каждым походом просил молитв. Жаль, что в житии не сказано, дошёл ли он до крещения; многие тогда так и оставались в уважении, но без решительного шага. А ты как думаешь, могло ли это быть просто военной приметой для него?

Margaret Adams

Yeah, that 20-year stretch really stands out—her praying for his safe return while keeping her own house of prayer must have felt like a strange kind of captivity-turned-peace. I wonder if any of those servants she brought with her ever got to see their families again once she finally headed back to Campania.

Irene Wilson

That 20-year gap does make you stop and think. I always pictured her little household as a sort of quiet monastery right in the middle of a pagan officer’s estate — servants praying alongside her, no idols, just the hours ticking by. Makes me wonder whether Rexius ever let any of them go home earlier, or if they all stayed till the end out of loyalty.