Martyr Kyriakia

The era of early Christianity is full of memorable names of martyrs of faith. Of some we know all the details, but most left only small mentions in written sources.
Kyriakia was born into a family of Christian believers, Dorotheus and Eusevia. They did not have children for a long time, but the couple did not stop praying and the Lord sent them a wonderful girl. Kyriakia in Greek means “resurrection” (week in Old Russian and Bulgarian). This is why it is called Holy Week. Just as the resurrection belongs to God, so Kyriakia was consecrated to him. Raised her in deep faith.
Therefore, when the hand of the beauty asked the pagan, she refused him. The rejected groom informed the authorities that Kyriakia’s family were Christians. They were arrested, their parents executed, and the girl was sent to Nicomedia, to Caesar Galerius, son-in-law and co-ruler of Diocletian.
Kyriakia was tortured there. She was thrown into an aviary with wild animals, but they did not touch the girl, but only lay down peacefully at her feet. Then she was put in a red-hot pan, but Kyriakia remained intact.
After so many unsuccessful attempts, it was decided to cut off her head, but at the place of execution, immediately after prayer, Kyriakia died.
Local Christians buried her body. It was long in Nicomedia, but in the 12th century the relics were transferred to Veliky Tarnovo in Bulgaria.