Kyriaki

Saint Kyriaki (, ), also known as Saint Kyriaki the Great Martyr (, ), is a Christian saint who was martyred under the Roman emperor Diocletian. In Catholic tradition her name with meaning "Sunday" is translated as "Saint Dominica" .

Life Kyriaki was born in Nicomedia to Greek parents Dorotheus and Eusebia. They were devout Christians, and when they had a child, since she was born on Sunday, the Lord's Day, she was given the name Kyriaki, the Greek word for Sunday.

From her childhood, Kyriaki consecrated herself to God. As she was a beautiful young woman, many suitors asked for her hand in marriage, but she refused them all saying that she had dedicated herself to Jesus Christ. A magistrate of Nicomedia also wished to betroth Kyriaki to his son, especially since she came from a wealthy family, but when she once more rejected his proposal, he denounced Kyriaki and her parents as Christians to Emperor Diocletian.

Kyriaki was tortured again by Apollonius, the successor of Hilarion. She was thrown into a fire, but the flames were extinguished, and then to wild beasts, but they became tame and gentle. Apollonius then sentenced her to death by the sword. As she was given a little time to pray, she asked God to receive her soul and to remember those who honoured her martyrdom. Upon completing her prayer, she rendered her soul to God before the sword was lowered on her head. Pious Christians took her relics and buried them. At the time of her death, she was 21 years old.

Veneration Her feast day is celebrated on 7 July by the Eastern Orthodox Church.

In honor of Saint Kyriaki, several settlements in Greece bear the name Agia Kyriaki (, Agía Kyriakí), as well as an island of the same name in the Dodecanese. Saint Kyriaki is the patron saint of Servia, a town in Western Macedonia, Greece.

Hymn A troparion dedicated to Saint Kyriaki is sung in the fifth Byzantine tone:

O virgin martyr Kyriaki, You were a worthy sacrifice When you offered your pure soul to God; Wherefore Christ has glorified you, And through you pours forth graces abundantly on all the faithful, For He is the merciful Loving God!

Gallery In art

Churches Some of the churches dedicated to Saint Kyriaki.