The Orthodox Church commemorates today the martyr Themistocles and the holy virgin martyr Juliana.
Saint Juliana came from a prominent pagan family of Nicomedia and lived in the time of Emperor Maximian. Her physical beauty, prudence and wealth aroused the interest of official Eleusis, to whom her parents wanted her to marry.
Juliana, however, was humble and having known the truth of Christ from the Apostle Paul, did not want to become the wife of a pagan man. Her persistent refusal led to be denounced as Christian before the Roman authorities. As a result, she was imprisoned and went through horrific torture led by Eleusis himself.
The Saint showed unique patience saying that, after the resurrection of the righteous people, it will not be the wounds of the body that matter, but the wounds left by the morals decay on one’s soul as well their sins, which, however, will be forgiven through the Church and the Sacraments of Repentance and Confession.
Juliana was killed with a sword inside the prison. Her morality and bravery became the reason for many people to believe in the God-man Jesus Christ and to follow her in martyrdom, with courage and steadfastness in their faith.
There are women heroines who resist and show courage in the daily struggle of life and follow the Holy Gospel, despising any kind of obstacle. They prefer to be moral and honest, according to the will of God. They follow the path they have chosen in the course of their lives either as mothers, wives or as nuns in total devotion to God and with wisdom and selflessness.
Source: Church of Cyprus
