Orthodox Icon of St. Julia of Carthage

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July 16th
Troparion (Tone 4)
Thy lamb, Julia, O Jesus, doth cry unto thee with a loud voice, saying, My Bridegroom, I long for thee and in struggles seek thee. I am crucified and buried with thee in my Baptism, and for thee I do suffer until I reign with thee. I die for thee that I may live in thee. Then as a sacrifice without blemish receive her who for thy sake was slain. Through her intercessions, therefore, since thou art merciful, save our souls.

Julia was born to noble parents in Carthage. She was made a slave by the Persians when they plundered Carthage in the late 5th century. She was given to a Syrian merchant named Eusebius, who was a pagan. She was wonderful and faithful servant and steadfast in her faith in Christ. Eusebius tried to persuade her to become a pagan, but saw that this was fruitless. He valued her service and her spirit greatly. He took her along on a trading voyage. The ship stopped at Corsica en route, at the time of a great pagan festival. Eusebius allowed Julia to stay on the ship, where she wept and prayed for so many living in pagan debauchery, because they did not know the truth. Eusebius bragged of the beauty and devotion of Julia to Felix the governor of Corsica. Felix offered to buy her but he said, "No; all you are worth will not purchase her; for I would freely lose the most valuable thing I have in the world rather than be deprived of her." Felix would not be denied, so he sent men to take her by force while Eusebius was asleep. They dragged her off the ship. Felix told her she could have her freedom, if she would sacrifice to the idols. She told him that she was as free as she wanted to be, as long as she could serve Jesus Christ. He had her tortured and mutilated. Finally they crucified her. Her death was revealed to monks on a neighboring island, who came and buried her body. Many miracles were worked over her grave through the centuries. She suffered in the sixth century.

This icon is by the hand of Nicholas Papas. This icon is one of the "cloud of witnesses" at St. Philip's Antiochian Orthodox Church, Souderton, Pennsylvania.

Order #phn-49