Today, July 7, the Holy Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of the Great Martyr Kyriaki who was the daughter of Christian parents, Dorotheus and Eusebia.
She was given her name Kyriaki because she was born on Sunday, the day of the Lord (in Greek, Kyriaki). She contested in Nicomedia during the reign of Diocletian, in the year 300.
During the persecution of Diocletian, her parents were martyred for their firm belief in Jesus Christ. Saint Kyriaki was sent to Caesar Maximian and from there to the ruler of Bithynia Ilarion (Hilarius), who told her that she is too beautiful to be tortured and promised her wealth and marriage to one of Diocletian’s relatives if she worshiped the pagan gods. Saint Kyriaki responded appropriately and with courage. He, after having ravaged her, ordered his soldiers to decapitate her.
With courage and dignity, as well as with constant prayer, Great Martyr Kyriaki rendered her soul to God before the sword was lowered on her head and delivered her spirit to Jesus Christ, whom she loved with devotion all her life. With her vigor and stability, she has led others to endure martyrdom, confessing to the true God.
Even today, heroic women plead Saint Kyriaki to pray to the Trinity God, so that they can remain firm and courageous in the struggle of everyday life and stay in the path of love of the Risen Christ in spite of any obstacles.
Hymns to the Great Martyr Kyriaki
Apolytikion (Fourth Tone)
O Lord Jesus, unto Thee Thy lamb doth cry with a great voice: O my Bridegroom, Thee I love; and seeking Thee, I now contest, and with Thy baptism am crucified and buried. I suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee; for Thy sake I die, that I may live in Thee: accept me offered out of longing to Thee as a spotless sacrifice. Lord, save our souls through her intercessions, since Thou art great in mercy.
Kontakion (Second Tone)
The Martyr of Christ hath called us all together now to praise and acclaim her wrestlings and her godly feats; for possessed of manliness of mind, she hath proved to be worthy of her name, being lady and mistress of her mind and the passions of unseemliness.
