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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

This story is really a bit strange. Rexius kidnaps her and tries to force her to worship idols, then he respects her to the point of giving her a private house and asking for her prayers before wars. But what stopped me was the 20 years that I waited and then asked to return to Italy, especially during the time of persecution. I wondered, like Matthew, did Rexius become a Christian in the end?

Елена Морозова

It’s interesting that in 20 years, Rexy never broke her faith, but on the contrary, he began asking for prayers before going on hikes. And in the end she herself went to certain death under Diocletian. I would like to know if he was baptized later, as the guys above think.

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

It’s interesting that over 20 years he really softened and even asked her for prayers before going on hikes. But whether he was baptized - unfortunately, nothing is written about this in his life. Maybe he simply respected her perseverance, as many pagans then respected Christians, but he himself did not fully decide.

مريم حداد

These 20 years have stopped me like Nour and Matthew. Imagine living in a separate house, praying every day, and he goes to war and comes back thanking you for your prayers, and then you ask to return to Italy in particular at the time of persecution. I'm sure she prayed for him a lot, but it's really not written that he was baptized in the end.

Роман Зайцев

Interesting that you noticed. Over the course of 20 years, something must have really shifted in Rex’s soul - since he not only let her go, but also asked for prayers before each trip. It is a pity that the life does not say whether he reached baptism; many then remained respectful, but without taking a decisive step. What do you think, could this just be a military omen for him?

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.