Julian the Deacon

Julian the Deacon was a Christian born on the island of Aegina in the year 319, who became a deacon and preached the Gospel beside his spiritual brother, the priest Julius, until his death in 391 near Lake Maggiore. He is commemorated on 7 January as a locally honoured saint, with no known canonization.

He was born on Aegina to rich and pious parents, who raised him in the discipline and admonition of the Lord. He studied at Athens together with Saints Basil and Gregory. Back on Aegina he decided, with the priest Julius, to imitate the Apostle of the Gentiles, Paul, and to preach Christ. The Bishop of Athens ordained him deacon. Adorned with the grace of the priesthood he set out with the priest Julius to preach the Gospel and baptize many pagans. Toward the end of his life he withdrew to Gozzano on Lake Maggiore, where after ascetic struggle and prayer he fell asleep in peace in the year 391.

The Synaxarion of the Church of Greece calls him "the one from Aegina". His story is linked with that of Saint Julius, the priest from Aegina, who is known above all in northern Italy.