HISTORY

TODAY WE CELEBRATE SAINT JULIANA THE MARTYR: Women Pray to Her for Strength, Justice, and Protection!

by Serbian Times3. January 2026.3. January 2026.

This saint is especially honored as the protector of women and girls, as well as all those exposed to injustice and suffering who, despite everything, do not abandon their faith in Jesus Christ.

On the day of Saint Juliana the Martyr, people remember the brave Christian woman who endured great hardships for her faith but remained steadfast in truth and dignity. This holiday in the Orthodox calendar carries a message of strong faith and spiritual strength, and the customs associated with it include obligatory fasting and prayers addressed to this saint. Folk belief holds that anyone who seeks help from Saint Juliana on her feast day will be spiritually strengthened and receive a special blessing.

AUSTRALIJANKA URADILA DNK TEST I OTKRILA DA JE – SRPKINJA! Ispostavilo se da joj je Jovica blizak rođak – dočekao je u Srbiji! (FOTO)

Saint Juliana was born in Nicomedia (modern-day Izmit, Turkey) at the end of the 3rd century into a family that was not Christian. When she heard the Gospel message, she completely devoted her heart to Christ and decided to live her life according to Christian principles. Although she was engaged to the Roman senator Elevsias, Juliana told him she would not marry him until he accepted faith in Christ, believing that spiritual unity was more important than physical union.

When Elevsias discovered that Juliana remained faithful to Christianity, he revealed her faith to her father and the city’s eparch. Her father beat her and then handed her over to the authorities for torture. According to tradition, while imprisoned, Jesus Christ healed her, and when the eparch tried to throw her into a blazing furnace, the fire did her no harm. Witnessing this miracle, 500 men and 130 women believed in Christ and accepted the faith; all were subsequently condemned and executed for their Christianity. Juliana was ultimately beheaded in 304 AD.

Christian tradition also holds that Elevsias later received divine punishment—his ship was wrecked at sea, and although he survived the shipwreck, dogs tore him apart when he reached the shore.

Among the people, Saint Juliana is considered the protector of women and girls, as well as all those who suffer injustice, hardships, or trials due to their beliefs and life in the Christian faith. On the day the Church celebrates Saint Juliana the Martyr and 630 other martyrs, it is customary for believers to go to church, light candles, and pray to her for protection, strength, and blessing. Since this day “falls” during the Nativity Fast, it is customary for those who turn to the saint to observe a fast, believing that she will hear and answer their prayers.