St. Kyriakos and St. Julitta

OBJECTIVE

We have begun to think about family on a spiritual level and how God wants us to be part of His family. The goal of this lesson is to show that when a family is united in God on earth, they will encourage each other to be united in God in heaven, even to the point of martyrdom. This week, we will look at how a mother was so concerned with her son's eternity with Christ that she preferred for him to die as a martyr so that they could enter into the Kingdom of Heaven together.

INTRODUCTION - 5 Minutes

Last week we spoke about St. Dolagy and how she encouraged her sons to partake in martyrdom, even though that meant watching them die. She was able to endure this because her heart was so full of the Holy Spirit and the love of God that all she cared about was making sure they entered the kingdom of heaven to be with God forever.

Why would anyone be willing to die and be willing to watch their own children die, especially after she went through so much trouble to have them and raise them in a proper, Christian way? She knew that this life is temporary and everyone will die in the flesh, but she knew their souls would live forever and she wanted to make sure that their eternal life with Christ was secure.

The martyrs loved God so much and their hearts were so full of the Holy Spirit, that they wanted to be with God more than to have a comfortable life. The martyrs emptied themselves of their own identity and filled themselves with God. They only wanted to be with God, even to the point of being willing to undergo torture and death to be united with God in His kingdom.

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes

"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me." (Matthew 10: 37)

LIFE OF THE SAINT - 20 Minutes

Today, we will learn about two martyrs - a mother and her three year old son. This is one of the youngest martyrs ever.

Julitta lived in Iconium in the third century and she was very beautiful and wealthy. She loved God very much and spent her time praying. She was married with one son, whose name was Kyriakos. When Kyriakos began speaking, his first words were "I am a Christian."

Julitta's husband died and the persecution of Christians became very strong. Julitta knew that the persecution in Iconium was bad so she took Kyriakos and two of her maids and went to Seleucia in Syria. There was still very strong persecution there so they went to Tarsus in Turkey. The Roman ruler there was named Alexander and he was very cruel.

Julitta was arrested and brought to Alexander. She understood that she would be martyred and she accepted that for herself, but she was very worried about Kyriakos. She was worried that, after she died, he would be convinced to worship the Roman gods and lose his eternal salvation. She prayed that God would accept them both as martyrs.

Julitta told Alexander that she was a Christian and he mocked her, asking how she could believe in someone who was crucified by the Jews. She said she was not worthy to call upon the name of Jesus, but told him she, like all Christians, was willing to die for her Lord Christ.

Alexander called for his soldiers to bring Kyriakos and made him watch as they threw Julitta on the ground and whipped her severely. Alexander asked her why she wasn't acting to save her life and her son's life. He told her that if she agreed to worship his gods, she and her son would both be released. She told him that this was a poor offer and even her son would refuse it. Alexander asked Kyriakos if he would agree to worship the idols. Kyriakos, even though he was only 3 years old, stated "Your idols are made of stone and wood. My true God is Jesus Christ." Julitta was strengthened when she heard Kyriakos say this and shouted that she was a Christian who worshiped the true God Who made heaven and earth.

At the same time, Kyriakos kept yelling "I am a Christian. I am a Christian." The soldiers again began to beat Julitta and, while they were doing this, Alexander tried to get Kyriakos' attention by playing with him, but Kyriakos just kept repeating, "I am a Christian. I am a Christian." Alexander got mad and threw Kyriakos down to the ground with all his power. Kyriakos hit his head against one of the concrete steps and died instantly, receiving the crown of martyrdom at the young age of 3 years old.

Many people were upset by Alexander for killing a young 3 year old in such a brutal way, but Julitta sighed with relief because she knew in her heart that he would have gone to be with Christ in Paradise and she no longer had to worry about his future after her martyrdom. Julitta prayed to God and said "Thank you, my Lord, because You considered Kyriakos worthy of receiving this glorious crown. I ask You now my Savior to take me also, for this is my ultimate desire to be with my son in the Heavenly Kingdom, where we can enjoy Your presence with us for eternity."

Alexander became so angry that he ordered her to be beheaded. She was beheaded on Abib 15 (July 22) 305 and the entire time she kept repeating "I am a Christian. I am a Christian." Her maids took her body and the body of Kyriakos and hid them in a cave near Tarsus until Emperor Constantine became emperor. Emperor Constantine honored the saints and venerated their relics.

APPLICATION (Action) - 5 Minutes

What characteristic did St. Kyriakos base his identity on? What was the most important thing to him? Is being Christian the most important thing to you? Should anything be more important to me than being Christian? What can we change in our lives to make being Christian our main identity?

RESOURCES

Story in Synaxarium: Kyriacos & Eulita

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

Encourage parents to read one saint story with their children every night. Saint stories can be found online: Lives of Saints - Synaxarion Stories
Remind parents to pray at least 2 times per day with their child and to have the child spend quiet time with God.
Encourage parents to partake of Holy Communion every week and commit to take children to confession every 40 - 60 days.