Paul and Juliana of Syria

The Holy Martyr Paul and his sister Juliana were executed under the emperor Aurelian (270 to 275) in the Phoenician city of Ptolemais. The emperor happened to visit Ptolemais, and among those who met him was Paul, who made the sign of the Cross. They arrested him and threw him in prison. On the following day, brought to trial, he openly and boldly confessed his faith in Christ, for which he was subjected to fierce tortures. Juliana, seeing her brother's suffering, began to denounce the emperor for his injustice and cruelty, for which she was also tortured.

They beat the martyrs, tore their bodies with iron hooks and burned them over red-⁠hot grates, but they were not able to break the wondrous endurance of the Lord's confessors. Three soldiers torturing the saints were struck by their courageous spirit and in turn believed in Christ; these newly chosen of God, named Quadratus, Acacius and Stratonicus, were immediately executed. The tormentor tried to seduce Juliana with a promise to marry her if she renounced Christ, but she refused and remained steadfast. By order of the emperor they sent her to a brothel to be defiled. The Lord preserved her there too, and anyone who tried to touch her lost his sight. Then the enraged emperor commanded that the bodies of the saints be burned again. Those who saw their suffering began to murmur loudly, and Aurelian ordered the martyrs beheaded. With gladdened faces the brother and sister went to execution singing: "For Thou hast saved us from those who afflicted us and hast shamed those who hated us" (Psalm 43:7). Paul and Juliana of Syria are commemorated on 17 August (new style; 30 August on the old calendar).