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July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

Orthodox calendar July 7 Holy Great Martyr Chiriachi In the days of Emperor Diocletian (284-305), there was a Christian named Dorotei, with his wife, Eusebia, who, because they had no sons, prayed to God to give them fruit in the womb, promising to give the child that would be born to God.

So, God listened to their prayer and they gave birth to a female child, on Sunday, for which reason they named it Chiriachi (because in Greek the Lord's Day means Sunday, it is called Chiriachi).

And they kept her a virgin, because they had promised to give her to God. But, when Saint Chiriachi was 16 years old, the pagan emperor Diocletian started a persecution against the Christians. Then the Saint's parents were accused, together with her, for being Christians.

So, the royal servants came and, taking all three, separated the maiden from her parents. They took the old men to Melitene in Armenia, where they suffered for Christ from the prefect Justus, and they sent the beautiful Chiriachi in chains to Caesar Maximian Galerius (293-311), in Nicomidia.

He, examining the beautiful virgin and seeing her steadfastness in faith, ordered to be cruel...

Source: Агентство Basilica (română) · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (9) 🌐 Translate comments

Elizabeth Parker

Her parents promised to give their child to God if they could have one, and they really followed through even when it got hard. Naming her Chiriachi because she was born on Sunday is such a nice detail. The part where they split her from her parents and sent her in chains to Maximian really hits home how tough it was.

Христо Христов

Родителите наистина са удържали на обещанието си, даже когато са я взели в окови на 16 години. Интересното е, че я кръстили Кириаки точно защото се родила в неделя – малка, но хубава подробност. Чудя се как ли са се чувствали в Мелитене, като са я разделили от тях.

George Anderson

That bit about naming her Chiriachi just because she was born on Sunday is a lovely touch. Her parents really stuck to their promise even after the soldiers dragged the three of them away and split the family up. Makes you wonder how Dorothei and Eusebia held up in Melitene knowing their girl was in chains heading to Maximian.

Δήμητρα Παπαγεωργίου

Οι γονείς της τήρησαν την υπόσχεσή τους μέχρι τέλους, ακόμα και όταν την πήραν δεμένη στα 16 της. Το ότι την ονόμασαν Κυριακή επειδή γεννήθηκε Κυριακή είναι μια όμορφη λεπτομέρεια. Αναρωτιέμαι πώς τα κατάφεραν οι δυο τους στη Μελιτηνή μόνοι τους.

Nicholas Anderson

Yes, that promise really tested them when the persecution hit. I always notice how they named her Chiriachi for being born on the Lord's Day – it feels like her whole life was already pointed toward Him. Did you catch the bit about her parents being sent off to Melitene while she went in chains to Nicomedia? Must have been heartbreaking.

Emma Carter

Yeah, that promise really showed what faith looks like when it costs something. The detail about sending her parents to Melitene in Armenia while chaining her off to Maximian in Nicomedia always gets me — it’s like the authorities knew exactly how to break a family. Did the story say how old her parents were when they finally suffered under Iustus?

Sophia Carter

Yes, that promise really tested them when the persecution hit. The way they kept her as a virgin even after she turned 16 shows they meant it. Did you notice how they sent her off in chains straight to Maximian while the parents went to Melitene?

Марина Морозова

Родители действительно сдержали слово, даже когда в 16 лет её в цепях отправили к Максимиану, а их самих в Мелитену. Интересно, что назвали Кириаки именно потому, что родилась в воскресенье — будто с самого начала всё было к этому. А что было дальше с ней у цезаря, в статье обрывается.

Katherine Johnson

Her parents' promise really does stand out, especially with the soldiers splitting them up like that. I always wonder too how Dorothei and Eusebia managed in Melitene, knowing their only child was in chains on the way to Maximian. The whole story makes me grateful we don't face that kind of test today.