At the dawn of Christianity, an endless sea of blood was shed due to the affirmation of a new faith. Many innocent men and women died. Among them were sincere in heart and pure in spirit, selflessly resisting the persecution and torture of the Gentiles. Subsequently, these people were canonized.
This article will focus on the holy martyr Julia of Carthage, her life and the miracles emanating from the icon.
Life
There are two traditions, repeating each other only in separate fragments. According to one of them, Saint Julia (or Julia) was born in Carthage, in a noble family. She grew up obedient, beautiful, smart and responsive girl. She prayed earnestly and read the scriptures. When the city was captured by vandals in 439, a ten-year-old girl was captured, and soon sold into slavery to the Syrian merchant Eusebius. Despite her position, Julia found freedom within herself and began to conscientiously work. Her master was a pagan and more than once argued with a girl, asking him to turn to paganism. Julia was devoted to Christ. She continued to pray fervently, with the permission of Eusebius himself occasionally read the Holy Scriptures.
So a few years have passed. Once the owner loaded the ship with various goods, took the girl with him (as a talisman, protecting from troubles) and went to Gaul, then a rich country. Eusebius ordered to land in Corsica (near the city of Nonza), where a bull was sacrificed to pagan gods. He decided to join the festival. The young Christian asked to stay on the ship. She cried that so many people live in error.
When the local governor Felix Saxo found out about the Christian slave, he gave Eusebius a drink. After the guest fell asleep, on the orders of Felix, Julia was lowered to the shore. The governor ordered the young maiden to make a sacrifice to the gods. A bold rejection infuriated Felix. And Julia was immediately sentenced to death through cruel torture. The girl was broken in blood, dragged by the hair, and then crucified. During torture, Julia whispered prayers. She did not resist, but humbly accepted her fate. On the last breath from the mouth of the martyr a dove flew out as a symbol of purity and purity. After her death, neither the bird nor the beast touched the girl’s body.
This is the version of the life of St. Julia that the clergy in the diocese of Ajaccio adhere to.
Another version
According to the second version, which is also welcomed by the Corsicans, Julia was a native of Nonza and a contemporary of St. Devota (circa 303). For refusing to bow to pagan idols and offer them a sacrifice, the girl was tortured and then killed. Both breasts were cut off and thrown off the cliff. In the place where they fell, two healing springs opened. After this, the enraged executioners tied St. Julia to the fig tree, where she died of pain. At this time, a dove flew out of the virgin's mouth. This moment repeats exactly the previous version of the life of the martyr.
Icon
Icons depicting saints carry a spiritual value. They protect, protect and help believers in difficult situations. Many women named Julia and not only turn to the image of the martyr. It is a symbol of enduring faith and chastity. There are several options for the embodiment of the image of the virgin Julia.
The Corsican version of life was directly reflected in iconography. The holy martyr Julia is depicted crucified on the cross, with her nipples cut off. An example of this is the canvas dating back to the 16th century. It has survived to the present day and is located in the church of the Holy Martyr in the city of Nonza. There you can bow and the statue of the Christian virgin. According to local confessors, the image is miraculous. Everyone who addresses him with sincere prayer receives blessings and help.
In Orthodox icons, St. Julia is traditionally represented with the Holy Scriptures (or a crucifix in hand). There are also the so-called family images, on which the martyr is depicted along with other saints (St. Wladyslaw, Prince of Serbia, St. Nadezhda of Rome, youth, St. David of Solunsky). Also, craftsmen proposed several options for the execution of icons. The real masterpieces are the faces of St. Julia, embroidered with beads. Characteristic moments are white robes as a symbol of the purity and innocence of a virgin and a look full of courage.
Wearable icons or medallions are becoming increasingly popular. They are made by jewelers from silver and gold and are spiritual charms of believers. Usually these are images of the face of St. Julia. Rare of them include jewelry images of the martyr in the hands of the Guardian Angel.
Veneration
The Corsican martyr in Nonza has been revered since her brutal murder. For this, a sanctuary (or sanctuary) was built near the city. However, in 734 it was destroyed by barbarians. In addition, holy springs are open on the island, to which local pilgrims flock with requests for healing and protection.
St. Julia's Day in Corsica is celebrated annually. The martyr herself, according to the decree of the Holy Congregation of Rites of August 5, 1809, is considered the patroness of the island.
In the Orthodox Church, July 29 is considered the day of remembrance of St. Julia (according to the new style).
Relics
According to one legend, the body of the martyr was discovered by the monks of the Gorgon island and buried in their monastery. Prior to this, an angel appeared to them and told about the girl’s sufferings and her deed for the sake of the faith of Christ.
Much later, the holy relics were transferred to the city of Brescia in northern Italy. Thousands of believers come here every year to bow to St. Julia of Carthage and ask for help. Here you can buy the icons of the martyr. According to the clergy, she patronizes mothers and sick children.
Prayer
Absolutely everyone who needs help and healing can turn to the image of St. Julia in prayer. In Orthodox sources you can find troparia in honor of the martyr. It is often attached to name icons. The invocation of the saint is also possible with the help of a common prayer: "Pray for God for me, holy saint of God, the martyr Julia, as if I am eagerly resorting to you, an ambulance and a prayer house for my soul." It is after this part of the appeal to the saint that, according to the Orthodox tradition, he is supposed to read troparia.
Miracles
According to legend, at the place of burial of the Carthaginian martyr, a healing spring broke out from under the stone. He performed many miracles: he helped the blind to see clearly, the deaf to begin to hear, the weak to stand up, the barren women to give birth. Miracles are happening today. They are exuded by the holy image of Julia in the temple, built many centuries ago on the site of the crucifixion of the martyr.
Interesting Facts
The city of Saint Julie in Canada, the province of Quebec, is named after St. Julia of Carthage. Also, her name is called an asteroid, which was discovered in 1866.
In the Orthodox tradition, another martyr named Julia is worshiped. She is one of the seven holy virgins who were drowned in the lake after brutal torture for Christ's faith. Later their bodies were burned by the Gentiles. The saint is called Ankir (or Corinthian) at the place of birth. Her memory day is celebrated on May 31 and November 19 in a new style.
In the 7-8 centuries. the church on the site of the burial of the martyr dilapidated and was partially destroyed. The inhabitants of Corsica decided to build a new temple in honor of St. Julia. They collected stones, sand, bricks and left them in the place they had chosen for the construction of the building. But at night on the eve of laying the foundation, an invisible hand carried all the materials to the foot of the old church. Perplexed, people returned everything to a new place. But the same thing happened the next night. According to legend, the watchmen watched as the bright maiden transported materials on white oxen. People realized that St. Julia did not want to build a temple in a new place. Therefore, the place of her burial was cleared and a new church was erected in honor of the martyr.