Holy Virgin Martyr Eulalia of Barcelona and Holy Martyr Felix — August 22 / September 4 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, August 22 according to the Julian Calendar (September 4 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Virgin Martyr Eulalia (†c. 303) and the Holy Martyr Felix (†c. 303). The holy martyr Eulalia was born in Spain, near the city of Barcino (present-day Barcelona). Her parents raised her in the faith of Christ and in piety. From the age of fourteen the virgin lived in seclusion in her family home, occupying herself together with her companions in prayer, the reading of Holy Scripture, and handiwork. During the persecution of Christians under the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian (284–305), the governor Dacian arrived in Barcino to exterminate the faithful. When she learned of this, Eulalia secretly left her home by night and by morning was already in the city. With difficulty the maiden made her way through the assembled crowd and rebuked the judge, who was compelling the people to blaspheme the true God and to offer sacrifice to demons.

Dacian ordered that the saint be mercilessly beaten with rods, but she bore the torment bravely and told the judge that the Lord had freed her from any sensation of pain. The martyr was hung upon a tree, her flesh was torn, and she was tormented with fire. Dacian mockingly asked the blessed one, “Where is your God, upon whom you call?” Eulalia answered, “The Lord is at my side, but because of your foulness you are unable to see Him.” As the holy martyr prayed, “Behold, God is my helper, and the Lord is the protector of my soul” (Psalm 53:4), the flames turned upon the executioners and they were thrown to the ground. The blessed Eulalia fervently begged the Lord to receive her soul, and in this prayer she gave up her spirit.

The assembled people clearly saw a white dove fly from her lips and soar up into heaven. The parents of the martyr, who found their daughter already departed, wept, yet they also rejoiced that their daughter had joined the choir of the saints. As the body of the lamb of Christ was being taken down from the tree, a Christian named Felix addressed her with tears of joy: “Lady Eulalia, you have been deemed worthy of the crown of martyrdom before us!” Eulalia, who had died three days before, turned her face toward him and smiled. Felix himself soon ended his life in martyrdom for Christ.