Holy Martyrs Quiricus and His Mother Julitta — July 15 / July 28 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, July 15 according to the Julian Calendar (July 28 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates Holy Martyrs Quiricus and His Mother Julitta.

The holy martyrs Quiricus (Cyricus) and his mother Julitta lived during the reign of the pagan Emperor Diocletian (284–305). They were from Iconium in Lycaonia, Asia Minor. Julitta was of noble birth, a Christian widow raising her infant son Quiricus in the fear of God.

When the persecution of Christians intensified under Diocletian, Julitta fled Iconium with her three-year-old son and two female servants. She traveled through Seleucia and then to Tarsus, seeking refuge from the persecutors.

In Tarsus, the governor Alexander spotted Julitta in the crowd and, attracted by her noble bearing, ordered her seized. In the commotion, little Quiricus was separated from his mother and brought before the governor. When Alexander tried to comfort the child, Quiricus scratched his face and cried out: ‘I am a Christian!’ The enraged governor hurled the child from the stairs — and Quiricus died, receiving the crown of martyrdom at the age of three.

When Julitta was told that her son had been killed, she rejoiced that her child had been found worthy to die for Christ. She boldly confessed her faith before Alexander and was subjected to terrible tortures — flogging, iron combs tearing her flesh — which she endured with remarkable courage and steadfastness.

At last, Julitta was beheaded by the sword. Her body and that of her son Quiricus were thrown outside the city walls, but her servants secretly recovered them. Later, when the persecutions ended, the holy relics of Saints Quiricus and Julitta were translated and venerated by the faithful throughout the Christian world.

The Orthodox Church venerates Saints Quiricus and Julitta as glorious martyrs whose courage — including that of a three-year-old child — puts to shame the arrogance of the persecutors. They are commemorated on July 15 according to the Julian Calendar.