Saint Cyriacus of Iconium

Also known as
Cyr
Cyricus
Quiriac
Quiricus
Memorial
16 June
15 July (Synaxarium of Constantinople)
Profile
Son of Saint Julitta. When Cyriacus was a small child, his mother was sentenced to death at Tarsus during the persecutions of Diocletian. Cyriacus made a childish attack on Alexander, the sentencing magistrate, and announced that he was a Christian like his mother. The angry magistrate threw the child to the ground, smashing his skull and killing him instantly.

Some scholars claim that the entire story is fiction, and there is no question that earlier writers hugely embellished this popular and frequently retold story.

Blessed Charlemagne dreamed he was saved from death by a wild boar during a hunt by the appearance of a child who promised to save if Charlemagne would clothe him. The bishop of Nevers explained that the child was Cyriacus, and that he wanted the emperor to repair the roof of Saint Cyr's cathedral. This led to the Cyriacus' representation as a naked child riding a wild boar.
Born
c.301
Died
martyred c304 at Tarsus by having his skull crushed
Canonized
Pre-Congregation
Patronage
against death of children, torture victims
Representation
child being thrown to the ground or down a set of steps by a judge
child thrown to the ground with a fountain springing from his blood
holding Saint Julitta by the hand
naked child mounted on a wild boar
Additional Information
Catholic Encyclopedia, by J P Kirsch
Catholic Online
For All The Saints, by Katherine Rabenstein
Google Directory
New Catholic Dictionary
Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson
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