St. Cyriacus the Martyr

  Posted on August 20, 2024  by admin  No comments

Died: excoriated and beheaded in 303 on the Salarian Way, Rome, Italy, buried near the Salarian Way, relics translated to Santa Maria in Via Lata, Rome, at Neuhausen, and the Saint Cyricus Abbey, Altorf, Alsace, France

Patronage: against diabolical possession, against eye disease, against temptations (especially at time of death), eyes, Altidona, Italy, Saint-Cierges, Vaud, Switzerland.

Also known as Cyriacus of the Baths, Cyriacus of Rome, Ciriaco, Cyriac, Cyriaci

Member of the Roman patrician nobility. Adult convert who gave away his wealth to the poor. Deacon. Ministered to the Christian slaves who worked to build and staff the baths of Diocletian. Legend says that Cyriacus exorcised devils from Diocletian’s daughter, Artemisia, who along with her mother, Saint Serena, converted to Christianity, and from Jobias the daughter of Shapur, King of Persia, which led to the conversion of the king’s family and household. Tortured and martyred with twenty others during the persecutions of Diocletian and Maximian Herculeus. One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.