Orthodox Outlet for Dogmatic Enquiries Biographies

 

Saint Eulalia of Mérida, Virgin and Martyr of Spain

(† ca.304)

(Source:  http://www.missionstclare.com/english/people/aug22o.html

 

A sincere attempt is being made with this new series by our website, to now acquaint our readers with the lives of the Orthodox Saints and Martyrs of the original One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of our Lord, who, like some of the Orthodox Saints of the British Isles, lived and propagated the Faith in the Western territories of the European Continent during the first millennium of Christianity and prior to the Great Schism of 1054 AD.

 

The Martyress Eulalia lived in Spain, near the city of Barcionum (presently Barcelona), and she was raised by her parents in piety and the Christian faith.

Already at 14 years of age, she spent a solitary life in the parental home, occupied with several of her own age in prayer, the reading of Holy Scripture, and handicrafts.

During the time of a persecution against Christians -- that under the emperors Diocletian (284-305) and Maximian (284-305) -- the governor Dacian came to Barcionum to rid it of Christians.

Hearing about this, Eulalia secretly left her home by night and by morning had made her way into the city. Pushing her way through the throng of people, she made a bold denunciation of Dacian for forcing people to renounce the True God to instead offer sacrifice to devils.

Dacian gave orders to torture her. However, she began to pray that the Lord would take her to Heaven to Himself, and with this prayer she died. At that time, people saw a white dove, flying up from her mouth to Heaven. She was buried by night by Christians.

She is one of Spain's greatest martyrs and profoundly beloved by the Spanish Orthodox people.


 

Article published in English on: 14-5-2010.

Last update: 14-5-2010.

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