February 16
Saint Juliana of Nicomedia
Virgin, Martyr
(Around 285 – Around 304)
“At the resurrection of the righteous, there will not be burnings and wounds but only the soul. So Eleusius, I prefer to have now the wounds of the body which are temporary, rather than wounds of the soul which torture eternally.”
Saint Juliana of Nicomedia
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Saint’s Life Story
Her Early Life
Juliana was born into a pagan noble family in Cumae, which is near modern-day Naples, Italy, around the year 285. She lived during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian in Nicomedia. Little else is known of her youth. She saw through the delusion and deception of the pagan faith and secretly accepted holy baptism. Her father, Africanus, an ambitious functionary in the Roman legions, despised Juliana simply because she had become a Christian.
Betrothed
Africanus had promised Juliana in marriage to a young noble Roman prefect named Eleusius (or Evilasius). So at the age of 18, in order to delay the marriage, Juliana asked Eleusius to become the prefect of Nicomedia, a prestigious position in the Roman Empire. However, Juliana had a strong desire to follow Christ. Then, Juliana told her father and insisted that Eleusius be baptized and convert to Christianity before they could be wed.
Refused Marriage to Eleusius
While Eleusius achieved the position of prefect, he struggled to fulfill Juliana’s condition of embracing Christianity. After some arguments, Africanus had tortured and scourged her with cruel beatings Then, He sent her to Eleusius, who said he would do anything to please her if she would only sacrifice to the gods and marry him.
Juliana said no torment should induce her either to sacrifice or to marry any man not a Christian.
Eleusius responded saying, ” I cannot be a Christian, for, if the emperor heard of it, he would cut off my head.”
Juliana answered, “If you fear your perishable emperor, you cannot wonder that I dare not forsake the Emperor of Heaven, who lives for ever.”
Sent to Prison and Tortured
Since Juliana persisted in her refusal to marry him, Eleusius and her father put her in prison. There, the devil appeared to Juliana in the form of an angel, advising her to sacrifice to the gods so that she might escape from torture. But by signing him with the cross, Juliana compelled him to tell who he was. He said he was Jopher the Black, the son of Beelzebub. He continued telling her that none of the prophets or patriarchs nor even the apostles had given him more trouble than Juliana.
When urged to renounce her faith and offer sacrifices to the Roman gods, Juliana steadfastly refused. After each beating, Juliana received healing and new strength from God. Her unwavering devotion led to her torture and ultimate condemnation to death.
Her Death
First, Juliana was partially burned in flames. Then, she was plunged into a boiling cauldron pot of oil. Finally, Juliana was freed from the torments and sufferings of this world by the mercifully instantaneous act of beheading around the year 304 in Naples, Italy or Nicomedia (which is now İzmit, Turkey). The Roman Martyrology describes Juliana’s suffering at Nicomedia in Asia Minor, but it is more probable that she died in Naples, perhaps Cumae, where her relics are said to be enshrined. Some of them are now in Brussels, Belgium, in the church of Our Lady of Sablon.
One hundred and thirty persons were converted by the spectacle of Juliana’s sufferings and courage. However, they were immediately beheaded by order of the emperor. When peace was restored to the Church, a certain senatress, named Sephora, passing through Nicomedia and hearing of the glorious miracles of Juliana, took her body away. She was driven by a tempest on shore at Puteoli, about nine miles from Naples, where she built a church in honor of Saint Juliana, whose relics are spread all over the world.
In the paintings and stained glass of the Middle Ages, Saint Juliana is frequently shown battling with a winged devil and usually she carries a chain in order to bind him.
Born: Around 285 in Cumae, Italy (now Naples, Italy)
Died: Around 304 in Naples, Italy or Nicomedia (now İzmit, Turkey)
Beatified: Pre-Congregation
Canonized: Pre-Congregation
Feast Day: February 16, December 21 (Greek Orthodox)
Patron Saint: Bodily Ills; Sickness
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- A Dictionary Of Saintly Women, Volume 1 : Dunbar, Agnes Baillie Cunninghame – St. Juliana
- St. Juliana of Nicomedia – Martyr and Christian Saint – All Saint Stories
- CatholicSaints.Info » Saint Juliana of Nicomedia
- Saint Juliana of Nicomedia – Saint for a Minute: Saints & Blesseds
- Juliana of Nicomedia – Wikipedia
Reflection
Saint Juliana of Nicomedia was a courageous young Christian martyr of the early 4th century. Betrothed by her father, Africanus, to a pagan official named Eleusius, she refused marriage because of her vow to Christ. She endured brutal torture and ultimately death rather than renounce her faith. Her steadfastness is a witness that loyalty to God sometimes requires standing against parental pressures, rejection, or even persecution. Juliana’s story reminds us that true love of Christ means placing Him first, no matter the cost. Her life calls us to a faith that is not compromised by fear or convenience, but strengthened through courage and trust in God.
In what areas of my family life am I tempted to compromise my faith to avoid conflict or discomfort? How can Saint Juliana inspire me to remain faithful to Christ above all?
Prayers
Saint Juliana of Nicomedia,
You chose Christ above comfort, safety, and even life itself.
Give me courage to stand firm in my faith when I face trials, doubts, or opposition.
Teach me to love Jesus with an undivided heart and to trust that His strength is always greater than my weakness.
Through your intercession, may I never compromise my love for God, but instead live each day with boldness, peace, and fidelity.
Saint Juliana of Nicomedia, pray for us! Amen.
Saint Links
Aleteia – Saint of the Day: St. Juliana of Nicomedia
All Saints & Martyrs – Saint Juliana of Nicomedia – Martyr
Catholic Online – St. Juliana of Nicomedia
CatholicSaints.Info – Golden Legend – Life of Saint Juliana
CatholicSaints.Info – Saints of the Day – Juliana of Nicomedia by Katherine I Rabenstein
Melanie Rigney – Juliana of Nicomedia
New Advent – Kirsch, J.P. (1910). St. Juliana. In The Catholic Encyclopedia
Rev Butler’s Lives Of The Saints Complete Edition – St. Juliana, Virgin and Martyr
St. Juliana Catholic Church – Our Patroness Saint Juliana of Nicomedia
Video Link
St. Juliana of Nicomedia: Loving God Above All – YouTube (Awaken The Saint)