The Name day of
everyone named Julia, Yulia, Yulian.
According to folk belief, people pray to
Saints Cyricus and Julitta for the welfare of the family and for
children's recovery from illness.
This day the church celebrates the Day of
the Holy Martyrs Cyricus and his mother Julitta. Saints Cyricus and
Julitta lived in the city of Iconium, Lykaos Province, in Asia Minor.
Saint Julitta was a Christian descended from a noted family. She was
soon left a widow to raise her three-year old son Cyricus. During the
persecution of Christians ordered by Emperor Diocletian (284-305),
Saint Julitta, her son, and two faithful servants left the city,
leaving behind her house, property and slaves. Disguised as an
indigent, she at first hid in Seleucia, and then in Tarsus.
There, in about 305, she was recognized, arrested, and
brought for trial before Governor Alexander. Strengthened by the Lord,
the saint fearlessly responded to the judge's questions and firmly
confessor her faith in Christ. The governor ordered that the saint be
beaten with sticks. While being tortured, Julitta repeated "I am a
Christian, and will not offer sacrifice to demons." The infant Cyricus
cried at seeing his mother's suffering, and strained to go to her.
Governor Alexander tried to sooth him, but the child broke free and
cried out "Let me go to my mother. I am a Christian." The governor
threw the child from the height of the dais onto the stone steps. The
child tumbled down, striking sharp corners, and expired. The mother,
seeing her battered son, thanked God that He had made the infant
worthy of a martyr's crown. After enduring many cruel tortures, Saint
Julitta was beheaded with a sword.
The relics of Saints Cyricus and Julitta were
found during the reign of the Emperor Constantine. Not far from
Constantinople, a monastery was established in honour of the martyrs,
and a church dedicated to them was erected near Jerusalem.
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PEACE HAVENS of BULGARIA
