Cyriacus

Cyriacus (Greek Kyriakos, also Cyriac, Cyriac; † around 303 in Rome by beheading ) is a martyr from the time of persecution of Christians in Rome, who is revered in the Catholic and the Orthodox Church as a saint. The name means belonging to the Lord '. Catholic feast day is August 8, the saint is considered one of the Helpers.

Life

For more details about the life of Cyriacus ' are hardly known, most are legends. He is, however, mentioned several times in the Roman Acts of the Martyrs, which speaks for its historicity. It is known that Cyriacus was consecrated in the year 300 by Pope Marcellinus a deacon. The deacons were in particular the care for the elderly, children and the sick, so the charity entrusted, but he performed well in the Liturgy a special service, such as the proclamation of the Gospel, reciting the Fürbittlitaneien and accepting the gifts at the offertory during Holy Mass.

It is also known where Cyriacus was buried, but this place no longer exists. According to tradition, the monastery Lorsch his remains were transferred in the year 847 in the later times by acts of war destroyed Collegiate Church of St. Cyriacus in Neuhausen near Worms. The bones were distributed as relics in different churches.

Legend

Maybe Cyriacus was also a doctor or an exorcist. Legend has it that he had the Emperor Diocletian 's daughter cured of an obsession. To thank him, the Emperor had given a house where Cyriacus also einrichtete a chapel and where he has worked for many years. Although there were many persecutions of Christians even with Diocletian, was at this time Cyriacus, obviously, spared because of the healing of the Emperor's daughter. In the persecution of Christians of Mitkaisers Maximian Cyriacus was caught with his companions and died a martyr's death: first, they were doused with boiling oil and then beheaded. The house, which the Emperor Diocletian had given him, was confiscated.

Representation

As a result of this legend of the healing of the Emperor's daughter is Cyriacus, who is counted among the Fourteen Holy Helpers of the Church, often depicted with a devil, whom the Holy lead tied to a chain. He is frequently but, particularly on the Fourteen Holy Helpers images, as a deacon (shown by the garb of a deacon, the dalmatic ) shown with the palm of the martyr in his hand. Finally, find an allusion to the healing of the daughter of Diocletian representations with a mostly winning female figure.

Patron

The Holy Cyriacus should especially protect against frost and bad weather, so he was very soon the patron saint of winemakers throughout the wine growing areas, especially in the Palatinate, very common. He was patron of the church state of the Principality of Castiglione and the cities of Bottrop and Gernrode. Cyriacus invoked against evil spirits, obsession, temptation and scruples. Regardless of the traditional anniversary of the death 16 March, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Saint on August 8. As a first name Cyriacus is very rare; known bearers of the name are the Italian humanist Cyriacus of Ancona, the Lutheran theologian Cyriacus Spangenberg controversial and the German hymn writer Cyriakus Günther.

Cyriacus are consecrated many churches (→ Cyriakuskirche ) and some monasteries (→ Abbey of St. Cyriacus ).