Kyriaki

Who is Kyriaki?

Saint Kyriake was the only child of Greek parents Dorotheus and Eusebia. They were devout Christians, wealthy but childless. Unceasing in prayer they obtained a child and since she was born on a Sunday, she was given the name Kyriake.

From her childhood, Kyriake consecrated herself to God. When she matured, beautiful in body and soul, many suitors came to ask for her hand in marriage but she refused them all saying that she betrothed herself to Christ the Lord and that she desires nothing more than to die as a virgin. A magistrate of Nicomedia also wished to betroth Kyriake to his son, especially since she came from a wealthy family, but as he was also rejected he denounced Kyriake and her parents to emperor Diocletian as Christians.

The emperor ordered her parents to be tortured and Dorotheus was beaten until the soldiers grew tired and were unable to continue. Since neither flattery nor torment had any effect, Diocletian exiled Dorotheus and Eusebia to Melitene where they died enduring much suffering for Christ. He then sent Kyriake to Nicomedia to be interrogated by his son-in-law and co-ruler, Maximian.