Saint Lucian of Beauvais | |
|---|---|
 Statue of St. Lucien, Cathedral of Beauvais. | |
| Apostle of Beauvais | |
| Died | c. 290 AD Beauvais |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church Orthodox Church Anglican Church |
| Major shrine | Formerly the cathedral of Beauvais |
| Feast | 8 January, 3 June (Orthodox Church only). |
| Patronage | Beauvais |
Saint Lucian of Beauvais (French: Lucien, Latin: Lucianus, died c. 290 AD) is a Christian martyr of the Catholic Church, called the "Apostle of Beauvais."[1] He was killed in the 3rd century during the Diocletian persecution, although later traditions make him a martyr of the 1st century instead. This was because the church of Beauvais attempted to claim apostolic origins for itself. Odo, bishop of Beauvais during the 9th century, was the first writer to designate Lucien as the first bishop of Beauvais.[1]
Nevertheless, the foundation of the diocese of Beauvais is traditionally attributed to him. His Passio assigns him two disciples, Maximian (Maxien, Maximien) and Julian (Julien), who were decapitated with him on the hill of Montmille.[1]
French historian Louis Duchesne (and others) consider the whole story of Lucian as unhistorical.[2]