E07906: Jerome, in his On illustrious men, states that *Lucianus/Loukianos of Antioch (theologian and martyr of Nicomedia and Helenopolis, S00151) and *Phileas (bishop of Thmuis, martyr of Alexandria, S00125) were both victims of the persecution of Maximinus in 311/313, and that Lucianus died in Nicomedia but was buried in Helenopolis (both in north-west Asia Minor, near Constantinople). Written in Latin in Bethlehem (Palestine), 392/393.

Jerome, On Illustrious Men (De viris inlustribus) 77 (Lucianus) and 78 (Phileas)

Lucianus, uir disertissimus, antiochenae ecclesiae presbyter tantum in scripturarum studio laborauit, ut usque nunc quaedam exemplaria scripturarum luciania nuncupentur. Feruntur eius de fide libelli et breues ad nonnullos epistulae.Passus Nicomediae ob confessionem Christi sub persecutione maximini sepultus que Helenopoli Bithyniae.

'Lucianus, a man of great talent, presbyter of the church at Antioch, was so diligent in the study of the Scriptures, that even now certain copies of the Scriptures bear the name of Lucian. Works of his, On faith, and short Epistles to various people are extant. He was put to death at Nicomedia for his confession of Christ in the persecution of Maximinus, and was buried at Helenopolis in Bithynia.'


Phileas de urbe Aegypti quae uocatur Thmuis, nobili genere et non paruis opibus, suscepto episcopatu, elegantissimum librum de martyrum laude conposuit et disputatione actorum habita aduersum iudicem, qui eum sacrificare cogebat, pro Christo capite truncatur eodem in Aegypto persecutionis auctore quo Lucianus Nicomediae.

'Phileas a resident of that Egyptian city which is called Thmuis, of noble family, and no small wealth, having become bishop, composed a finely written work in praise of martyrs and arguing against the judge who tried to compel him to offer sacrifices, was beheaded for Christ during the same persecution in which Lucianus was put to death at Nicomedia.'


Text: Richardson, 1896. Translation: Richardson, 1892.