Mor Quryaqos and his mother Mort Yuliti

Mor Quryaqos and his mother Mort Yuliti

July 15th is the Commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Kuriakose & his mother St. Julietta according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Quryaqos was born in the city of Iconium (Konya, Turkey). His mother Mort Yuliti descended from a noble family, & she was a very pious Christian known for helping the poor when not in fervent prayer. She raised her son on her own, as her husband an army officer died early in Kuriakose's life. It was during that time, the Roman Emperor Diocletian instigated the worst period of persecution that Christendom had known. To protect her son & escape from the oncoming danger, Yuliti fled to Selucia along with their two maids. Unfortunately, there too Christians were persecuted so they finally escaped to Tarsus the birth place of St. Paul. The Roman tetrarch (governor) Alexandros, shared the same zeal in persecuting Christians as that of the emperor, & had all Christians arrested & brought before him. Yuliti with her child was arrested & presented before Alexandros. Despite repeated warnings, Yuliti would not stop proclaiming that she is a Christian in front of an enraged Alexandros. She was thrown to the ground while soldiers grabbed Kuriakose. Alexandros tempted Yuliti, telling her that if she renounced Christ he'd let her son go free. She defiantly disagreed, saying even a child like her son would never renounce Christ. The solders then brutally beat her. Alexandros asked Kuriakose, “Would you agree to worship the idols?” Young Kuriakose replied: “Your idols are made of stone & wood; my real God is Jesus Christ.” When Yulithi heard this, she was filled with courage & shouted, “I am a Christian; I worship the real God Jesus Christ who made heaven & earth." Then Kuriakose also shouted “I am a Christian; I am a Christian.”In a fit of rage, Alexandros slammed Kuriakose to the ground on the concrete steps, & the boy died immediately. Thus at the tender age of 3, Mor Quryaqos attained the crown of martyrdom. Yuliti prayed, “Thank you my Lord because you considered Kuriakose worthy of receiving this glorious crown. I ask you now my Savior to take me also." Alexandros, angered by Yuliti's indignation & steadfast faith, had her beheaded. Till her last breath she proclaimed 'I am a Christian' as she too attained the crown of martyrdom. A few decades later, the Christian Roman Emperor St. King Constantine the Great came to power, & built a Church at the site of their martyrdom. Their relics are venerated with great devotion. Biography courtesy, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' Oh Mor Quryaqos & Mort Yuliti! May your intercession strengthen the faith of true believers during these times of great persecution. Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen. Tone for the Feast of Saints: 8Syriac Prayers for dukhrono Mor Quryaqos u Yuliti Emeh: https://tinyurl.com/bdevx73h Hoothomo by HG Mor Osthatheos Issac: https://youtu.be/jpTWdAExu78Biography in Malayalam courtesy Fr. Greger R. Kollanoor: https://tinyurl.com/27j8b4ts Malayalam sermon & biography by Shamosho Yuhannon: https://youtu.be/uH9VK7ifAF0https://urhotheway.com/2020/07/13/sts-yulithi-and-kuriakose/BL14504Fixed Feast