Kyriaki the Great Martyr

Holy Great Martyr Kyriaki of Nicomedia, virgin, who suffered under Diocletian.

St. Kyriaki was born in Nicomedia to Christian parents, Dorotheos and Eusebia, who had long prayed for a child; she was named for the Lord's Day on which she was born. Beautiful and devout, she refused marriage, dedicating herself to Christ, and was denounced during the persecution of Diocletian.

She endured many tortures with steadfastness, and tradition relates that she gave up her soul in prayer before the executioner's sword could fall. She is one of the most beloved women saints of the Greek people.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Kyriaki the Great Martyr is commemorated on July 7. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on July 20 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Kyriaki, Kiriaki, Kyriake, Kiki, Koula, Kirki, Sunday, Domenica, Dominika, Kyriakoula

Also commemorated on July 7

• Thomas of Maloea

  Venerable, Θωμάς

  Venerable Thomas of Maloea.

  Name days: Thomas

• Vlasios of Akarnania and those with him

  Hierarch, Βλάσιος ο εξ Ακαρνανίας

  Hieromartyr Vlasios of Sklavaina in Akarnania and his companions, slain by pirates.

• Eustathios the Hieromartyr

  Hierarch, Ευστάθιος ο Ιερομάρτυς

  Hieromartyr Eustathios, who suffered for Christ.

• Polykarpos the New

  Martyr, Πολύκαρπος ο Νέος

  Holy Martyr Polykarpos the New.

• Evangelos the Martyr

  Martyr, Ευάγγελος

  Holy Martyr Evangelos, bishop of Tomis, who died by the sword.

  Name days: Evangelos, Vangelis, Vaggelis, Vagelis, Evangelis

• Peregrinos and those with him

  Martyr, Περεγρίνος και οι συν αυτώ

  Holy Martyrs Peregrinos, Lucian, Pompeius, Hesychios, Papias, Saturninus and Germanus of Dyrrachium.