Feast Day: February 16 (Traditional Roman Calendar)
Patronage: Sick people, bodily ills, against demonic possession, childbirth, and contagious diseases
Life of St. Juliana of Nicomedia
St. Juliana was born in Nicomedia, an important city of the Roman Empire (in modern-day Turkey), during the late 3rd century, at a time of intense Christian persecution under Emperor Diocletian (284–305 A.D.). She was raised as a Christian, despite living in a pagan society, and dedicated her life to chastity and devotion to God.
Her father, Africanus, was a high-ranking pagan official, and he arranged for her to marry Eleusius, a prominent Roman senator and magistrate. However, Juliana refused to marry him unless he converted to Christianity. Eleusius, angered by her refusal and her faith, denounced her to the authorities, accusing her of practicing Christianity—an act considered treasonous under Diocletian’s rule.
Her Martyrdom
Juliana was arrested and brought before a tribunal, where she boldly professed her faith in Christ. Eleusius, seeing her resistance, sought to break her spirit by subjecting her to cruel tortures. Among her sufferings:
- She was scourged and beaten mercilessly.
- Her body was burned with torches and subjected to other forms of torment.
- She was thrown into prison, where, according to tradition, the devil himself appeared to her in the form of an angel, urging her to renounce Christ. Recognizing the deception, Juliana rebuked and defeated the tempter through prayer, binding him in chains until he confessed his deceit.
After her steadfastness in trials, she was finally condemned to death by beheading. According to some accounts, Eleusius later perished in a storm at sea, seen as divine retribution for his cruelty.
St. Juliana’s relics were later transferred to Naples, Italy, where they were enshrined and venerated by the faithful.
Spiritual Lessons from St. Juliana
- Purity and Courage – Juliana’s refusal to marry a pagan, even at the cost of her life, shows the importance of purity and unwavering commitment to Christ.
- Faith in Persecution – She remained faithful despite extreme suffering, inspiring Christians to hold firm in trials.
- Victory over the Devil – Her encounter with the tempter in prison teaches the reality of spiritual warfare and the power of prayer in resisting demonic deception.
Veneration and Legacy
St. Juliana was widely venerated in the early Church, and her name appears in ancient martyrologies. Her feast was celebrated with great devotion in both the East and the West, particularly during the Middle Ages. Churches in Italy, Spain, and France were dedicated to her honor.