July 15-The Feast of Martyrs Cyricus and his mother, Julitta of Tarsus

My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

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ON JULY 15TH OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE FEAST OF THE MARTYRS CYRICUS AND HIS MOTHER JULITTA OF TARSUS

Through God's grace, we have holy relics of the Holy Martyr Cyricus in our church, and which upon the consecration of Saint Andrew were placed, along with other holy relics, in the crypt inside the altar table. What a blessing!

Holy Martyr Curicus and his mother Julitta live in the city of Iconium, Lykaos Province, 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 the pagan Roman Emperor Diocletian (284-305 A.D.), 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 A.D., 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 confessed 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 soothe him, but the little one, in his childish voice, called on the Name of Christ and kicked the ruler in the belly so hard, that the tyrant became enraged and threw him down the steps of the tribunal. In this manner, the child's head was crushed, and he gave up the spirit. As for his blessed mother, she first endured many torments, and finally was beheaded in the year 296 A.D.

Apolytikion of Martyr Cyricus and Julitta
Fourth Tone

Blessed Julitta, Christ God's rational ewe-lamb, with holy Cyricus, her three-year-old offspring, stood at the judgment seat and with authority and great boldness they proclaimed the True Faith of the Christians, in no wise were they afraid of the threats of the tyrants; and now in Heaven, wearing precious crowns, they both rejoice as they stand before Christ our God.

Kontakion Hymn of Martyr Julitta and Cyricus
Fourth Tone

As the Martyr of Christ God, the chaste Julitta, in her arms bare Cyricus, she cried out in the stadium with manful courage and boundless joy: Thou art the strength of the Martyrs, O Christ my God.

(Source: Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline. Mass.)

In Christ's Service,

+Father George