The Holy Martyress Kyriakia
Commemorated on July 7
The Holy Martyress
Kyriakia suffered for Christ at Nikomedia during the time of a persecution
under Diocletian. She was the only daughter of the pious christians Dorotheos
and Eusebia, who had given a vow to dedicate their daughter to God.
At the beginning of
the persecution Saints Dorotheos and Eusebia were separated from their daughter
and given over to trial under the governor Justus, but Saint Kyriakia was sent
to Nikomedia to the co-ruler of Diocletian – Maximian Hercules. The holy martyress
firmly endured the tortures, praying to God. The Lord worked many miracles to
bring the idol-worshippers to their senses: idols fell down in the pagan
temples, just as they brought the saint there; wild animals brought to the
martyress lay down peacefully at her feet. Seeing this, many pagans were
converted to Christ. When the sentence of death was read, Saint Kyriakia
requested time for prayer. After a final prayer she peacefully died, delivered
by the Lord out of the hands of the Roman executioners (IV).
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.