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Memory of Martyr Kyriaki of Nicomedia (7 July)

July 7, 2026 · 1 min read

Saint Kyriake was the only child of Dorotheus and Eusebia. Since she was born on a Sunday (Kyriake, in Greek), she was named Kyriake.

One day a wealthy magistrate wished to betroth Kyriake to his son. Not only was she young and beautiful, but her parents were wealthy, and the magistrate wished to control that wealth. The magistrate went to her parents to request her hand, but Saint Kyriake told him that she wished to remain a virgin, for she had dedicated herself to Christ.

The magistrate was angered by her words, so he went to the emperor Diocletian to denounce the saint and her parents as Christians who mocked the idols, and refused to offer sacrifice to them.

Diocletian sent soldiers to arrest the family and have them brought before him. He asked them why they would not honor the gods which he himself honored. They told him that these were false gods, and that Christ was the one true God.

Dorotheus was beaten until the soldiers grew tired and were unable to continue. Since neither flattery nor torment had any effect, Diocletian sent Dorotheus and Eusebia to Melitene on the eastern border between Cappadocia and Armenia. Then he sent Saint Kyriake to be interrogated by…

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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Χριστίνα Νικολαΐδου

Sunday's story shows how difficult it was to say "no" to a rich lord back then. I was impressed that her parents, Dorotheus and Eusevia, did not force her to marry to save themselves. Really, how did Sunday itself turn out after they were separated?

Γιάννης Νικολαΐδης

Yes, Christina, her parents didn't pressure her at all, that shows a lot of faith. Then they separated them, they sent her to Maximian in Nicomedia, there they tortured her fiercely but she did not bend. You know, every year on the 7th of July we go with the company from the parish and light a candle in the small chapel named after her near the stadium.

Miloš Marković

Ναι Χριστίνα, και μενα μου Αστέραση που ο Δωρόθεος και η Ευσεβία δεν την πίεσαν κατέλος. Μετα την έστειλαν σον Μαξιμιανό, την κρεμασαν και την έκαιγαν με πυρομένα σίδερα, Αλά έλα ένα έλεγε "Χριστέ μου βοήθα" έλεγε. ΙΙΑννη, πες μας πού περισσότερα αναβετε Αιδεό το καντήλι καὶ 7 Ιουλίου, στην ενορία σας;

Ion Popescu

Yes, Χριστίνα, and parents like Δωρόθεο και την Ευσεβία don't meet easily - they don't understand her at all. After they broke up, Кирия remained to suffer alone in Νικομήδεια, but she didn't get away. ΙΙΑΝΙΝ, πες Μας, πού παραστή Αναβετε Ανεδο το καντήλι every 7 July with the group from the parish;

Елена Илиевска

The story of Kyriaki shows how strong her parents' faith was, Δωρόθεος and Ευσεβία, who did not force her to marry. After they separated, she continued her torture alone and did not resolve. ΙΙΑννι, πες μας που στην ενορία αναβετε Ανεδο το καντήλι και 7 Ιουλίου;

Daniel Wilson

The part that stuck with me is how Dorotheus and Eusebia never pressured Kyriaki to marry the magistrate’s son even though it could have saved them all. That took real faith. I wonder what happened to them after they were sent off to Melitene.

Κατερίνα Παπαδοπούλου

Yes Giannis, it's nice that her parents didn't pressure her, it shows how sincere her decision was. Last year we went with the child to the chapel after the service and he lit the candle with the wind by himself, I was impressed. Did you go this year?

Γεωργία Βασιλείου

Yes, Christina, I agree, her parents showed real faith in not forcing her. What stuck with me is that she was then sent to Maximian and she asked to be left alone to pray before the torture – which shows how calm she was inside. How would you handle it if you were her mother?

Magdalena Zielińska

Yes, I agree with what Daniel wrote - what moved me the most was that Dorotheus and Eusebia did not force Kyriaca to this wedding, even though it could have saved them. After separating the family, they sent her to Maximian and tortured her, but she did not break. I wonder if anyone in our parish has an icon of this martyr, because I would love to put a candle there.

Θεοδώρα Μακρή

Yes, John, nice that her parents let her choose for herself. I went last year with my mom after work and the chapel was quiet, just us and two old ladies. Did you go this year with the company or did you leave it for later?

Aleksandra Kaczmarek

Yes, this is the most thought-provoking part of the story - the parents did not push for the wedding, even though it could have saved them. I haven't seen the Kyriaca icon in our parish, but I can ask in the sacristy after the Sunday liturgy. And where did you hear about her?

Michael Moore

That part about not pushing her to marry really struck me too. My own kids are grown now, but I still remember how hard it was not to nudge them toward what seemed “safe.” Dorotheus and Eusebia must have trusted God with whatever came next in Melitene; I’ve always wondered if they were eventually martyred there or just lived out their days quietly.

Νίκος Σταθόπουλος

Yes, you're right, Theodora, her parents let her go and didn't pressure her at all. Last year my wife and I went on a Saturday afternoon and it was exactly as you say, quiet with few grannies. This year we left it for after the 15th of the month, maybe it's less hot. Did you go with just your mom or with the kids?