Orthodox Icon of St. Kyriaki

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July 7th Troparion (Tone 5)
O Virgin Martyr Kyriaki, thou wast a worthy sacrifice when thou didst offer thy pure soul to God; wherefore Christ has glorified thee, and through thee pours forth graces abundantly on all the faithful, for He is the merciful Lover of mankind.

In the time of Emperors Diocletian and his son-in-law Maximian, lived two devoted servants of God, Dorotheus and Eusebia. They both were devoted Christians, rich, but childless. After constant prayer, God granted them Kyriaki. Kyriaki grew up beautiful in body and soul. She betrothed herself to Christ and desired nothing more than to die as a virgin. Having refused many suitors, one denounced Kyriaki and her parents to Emperor Diocletian. The emperor ordered that her parents be tortured for their faith in Christ. After much torture, her parents were exiled and Kyriaki was sent to trial before Maximian. When she affirmed the faith, Maximian ordered that she be thrown to the ground and whipped. They tortured Kyriaki in all possible ways, but she would not renounce her faith. While she lay in prison one night the Lord came and healed her, saying, "Don't be afraid of the torture, Kyriaki; My grace is with thee." Christ's grace indeed was with her; for she survived fire, wild beasts, and godless tortures. After seeing the miraculous saving of Kyriaki from such a death, many pagans came to belief in Christ. All were beheaded. Kyriaki told her torturer, "There is no way that you can turn me from my faith. Throw me into the fire - I have the example of the Three Children; throw me to the wild beasts - I have the example of Daniel; throw me into the sea - I have the example of Jonah the prophet; put me to the sword - I shall remember the honoured Forerunner. For me, to die is life in Christ." He then ordered her to be beheaded. Kyriaki knelt before the Lord, lifting her hands up to him, praying that He would have mercy on and save all those who would celebrate her memory, and that He would give rest to her soul and to the souls of her parents. She then finished her prayer, was beheaded and gave her soul to God. She suffered with honor in Nicomedia and reposed in the year 289. ("St. Kyriaki" is also known as "Dominica, Holy and Great Martyr")

This Icon is by the hand of Nicholas Papas.

Order # inp-57