St. Nedelya (Kyriakia)

A WOODEN ICON 23×17 cm — A COPY OF AN ICON FROM THE HOLY MONASTERY OF XENOPHONT.

Handmade icons by the monks of Xenophontos Monastery.

MADE ON MOUNT ATHOS.

Saint Kyriakia (St. Nedelya), Great Martyr
3rd century

Feast day: July 7

During the reign of the Asen dynasty (12th–13th century), the relics of the saint were brought to the capital city of Tarnovo. Euthymius, Patriarch of Tarnovo, wrote “Praise of the Holy Great Martyr Kyriakia.”

According to tradition, also recorded by Patriarch Euthymius, Kyriakia was born in Asia Minor as a long-awaited child, granted in answer to the prayers of her parents, Dorotheus and Eusebia. From early childhood, she was raised in the truths of Christ.

At a very young age she decided to dedicate her life to God. This was during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, a time of persecution and brutal treatment of Christians — hunted down, imprisoned, exiled, or forced to renounce their faith. Kyriakia was thrown into prison and tortured, while her parents were exiled to the city of Melitene. Her miraculous healing and her refusal to bow to pagan idols led the authorities to sentence her to death.

At the place of execution, after prayer, Kyriakia gave her soul to God before the sentence could be carried out (July 7, 289). She died at the age of 22. As Patriarch Euthymius wrote:
“Dying in a short time, she fulfilled long years, for her soul was pleasing to the Lord, her purity — great enough, her struggles — sufficient…”