Lucius of Britain
Lucius or Lucius of Britain was a legendary king of the Britons reigning in the 2nd-century who is credited with introducing Christianity to Britain. Lucius is first mentioned in a 6th-century version of the Liber Pontificalis, which records that he sent a letter to Pope Eleutherius asking to be made a Christian.
The story was repeated by Bede in the 8th century, who added the detail that after Eleutherius granted Lucius' request, the Britons followed their king in converting to Christianity and that they maintained the Christian faith until the Diocletianic Persecution of 303. Later writers attribute the foundation of churches and missionary activity to Lucius.
In the Martyrology
- December 3 Saint Lucius, hermit