All Saints’ Day, also called All Hallows’ Day, Hallowmas, or Feast of All Saints, in the Christian church, a day commemorating all the saints of the church, both known and unknown, who have attained heaven, many of whom made their ascensions through martyrdom.  Simply put, martyrdom refers to the act of choosing death rather than renouncing one’s religious principles. READ MORE

Ancient Faith Moment

November 1, The Ancient Church Commemorates Martyrs Kyriaina and Juliana in Cilicia

The Holy Martyr Kyriaina (Κυριαίνα) was from Tarsus in Clicia, and Saint Juliana was from the city of Roso. These virtuous women devoted themselves to works of charity and Christian philanthropy during the reign of Emperor Maximian Galerius (305-311).

They cared for orphans, comforted poor widows and treated the sick without charging any fee. They knew how to read and write somewhat, but they were very eager and always found a way to support the faith of those who suffered from poverty, injustice, or other trials.

Many times, they succeeded in bringing pagans to the light of Christ through the Gospel, and by their own patience and goodness.

The Saints were arrested by Marcian, the governor of Cilicia, who tried to make them to deny Christ, but they refused to do this.

Therefore, Marcian had Kyriaina’s hair and eyebrows shaved, and forced her to walk naked through the streets of Tarsus.

Then she and Juliana were taken to the city of Roso, where they were burnt alive. They endured this horrible death with admirable steadfastness and self-denial, thereby obtaining the incorruptible crown of martyrdom from Christ.