Lucy and Geminian
Encyclopedia
Saints Lucy and Geminian were venerated on 16 September as saints who died as martyr
s in Rome
during the persecution of Diocletian
in about 290 or 300 or, more precisely, in 304. Veneration for them was ancient but their story is “only known from fabulous acts.” Lucy appears to be in reality the same as the Lucy of Syracuse whose feast is on 13 December, but the Geminian who was venerated on 16 September seems to be a fictitious character, not to be confused with Saint Geminianus, Bishop of Modena
.
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.
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
. They were buried by a woman named Maxima
and remained in the General Roman Calendar until 1969, but was then omitted as a duplication of the 13 December feast of Saint Lucy, while the Geminian mentioned in the legend of Saint Lucy seems to be a merely fictitious personage. Some traditional Catholics continue to observe the pre-1970 calendar.
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
s in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
during the persecution of Diocletian
Diocletian
Diocletian |latinized]] upon his accession to Diocletian . c. 22 December 244 – 3 December 311), was a Roman Emperor from 284 to 305....
in about 290 or 300 or, more precisely, in 304. Veneration for them was ancient but their story is “only known from fabulous acts.” Lucy appears to be in reality the same as the Lucy of Syracuse whose feast is on 13 December, but the Geminian who was venerated on 16 September seems to be a fictitious character, not to be confused with Saint Geminianus, Bishop of Modena
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Modena-Nonantola
The archdiocese of Modena-Nonantola is a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical territory in Italy. It existed as the diocese of Modena in central Italy from the 3rd century CE...
.
Legend
According to the legend, Lucy was a 75-year old widowWidow
A widow is a woman whose spouse has died, while a widower is a man whose spouse has died. The state of having lost one's spouse to death is termed widowhood or occasionally viduity. The adjective form is widowed...
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
Cauldron
A cauldron or caldron is a large metal pot for cooking and/or boiling over an open fire, with a large mouth and frequently with an arc-shaped hanger.- Etymology :...
of burning pitch
Pitch (resin)
Pitch is the name for any of a number of viscoelastic, solid polymers. Pitch can be made from petroleum products or plants. Petroleum-derived pitch is also called bitumen. Pitch produced from plants is also known as resin. Products made from plant resin are also known as rosin.Pitch was...
; 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.
When Lucy was paraded by Geminian’s house, the statues of Roman gods in his home shattered miraculously and a dove
Dove
Pigeons and doves constitute the bird family Columbidae within the order Columbiformes, which include some 300 species of near passerines. In general terms "dove" and "pigeon" are used somewhat interchangeably...
made the sign of the cross over Geminian’s head. He followed Lucy, asking for instruction in the Christian religion as well as baptism
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
. 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
Decapitation
Decapitation is the separation of the head from the body. Beheading typically refers to the act of intentional decapitation, e.g., as a means of murder or execution; it may be accomplished, for example, with an axe, sword, knife, wire, or by other more sophisticated means such as a guillotine...
. They were buried by a woman named Maxima
General Roman Calendar
A commemoration of "Saints Lucy and Geminimanus" was included in the Tridentine CalendarTridentine Calendar
The Tridentine Calendar is the calendar of saints to be honoured in the course of the liturgical year in the official liturgy of the Roman Rite as reformed by Pope Pius V, implementing a decision of the Council of Trent, which entrusted the task to the Pope....
and remained in the General Roman Calendar until 1969, but was then omitted as a duplication of the 13 December feast of Saint Lucy, while the Geminian mentioned in the legend of Saint Lucy seems to be a merely fictitious personage. Some traditional Catholics continue to observe the pre-1970 calendar.