Judas Cyriacus

Judas Cyriacus (* about 300 in Italy; † around 362 in Ancona) is the patron saint of the city of Ancona and the local cathedral, where every year on May 1, celebrates his feast. He is in both the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Church honored as a martyr ( feast day rk. 4 May orth: April 14 ).

Judas Cyriacus and the Cross of Christ

The legenda aurea by Judas Cyriacus was born a Jew and a distant relative of Stephen. He shall, when he was still a Jew, who helped the Empress Helena, locate the cross of Christ. After the finding of the Cross Judas Cyriacus was baptized and was consecrated bishop of Jerusalem. He is said to have died at the time of the Emperor Julian as a martyr.

From Galla Placidia, daughter of the Roman Emperor Theodosius I, the mortal remains of Judas Cyriacus said to have been brought to Ancona. In 1128 he established there a cathedral was consecrated in honor (Duomo of San Ciriaco ).

The oldest surviving text of this legend is a Syriac manuscript, which was probably written around 500 AD. So this may be the oldest surviving legend of the discovery of the cross.

Historical Relevance

The person described in the legend can not fix on the basis of ancient historical sources. At the relevant time there was no bishop by the name of Judas Cyriacus. Only Eusebius mentioned at the time of Bar Kochba ( 132-135 ) as the last Jewish Christian Bishop of Jerusalem Judas (HE IV 5.3 ).

Patrozinien

• Collegiate Church of Saint- Quiriace in Provins, Seine- et- Marne ( France)