Lucillian grew old as a pagan priest
and, as a graying elder, recognized the truth of Christianity and was
baptized. His conversion to Christianity provoked great anxiety among
the heathens in Nicomedia and he was brought to trial. Because he did
not want to deny his new Faith Lucillian was violently beaten and,
completely bruised, was thrown into prison. In prison he met four
young men: Claudius, Hypatius, Paul and Dionysius who, because of
their faith in Christ, were also imprisoned. The elder greatly
rejoiced in the young men and they in him and together spent all
their time in pious conversations, prayers and the chanting of
psalms. When they were led out of prison they were tortured by
various means and finally sent to Byzantium where the soldiers
beheaded Claudius, Hypatius, Paul, Dionysius and Lucillian was
crucified by the Jews. The nefarious Jews pierced Lucillian's entire
body with nails. A virgin named Paula openly took the martyr's bodies
and honorably buried them. For this, she was accused and, after
having been tortured, was beheaded receiving two wreaths from the
Lord: the wreath of virginity and the wreath of martyrdom. Their
martyrdom occurred during the reign of Emperor Aurelian between the
years 270-275 A.D.
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