The legend is that she was the daughter of an illustrious pagan named Africanus, born in Nicomedia; and as a child was betrothed to the Senator Eleusius, one of the emperor's advisors. Her father was hostile to the Christians. However, while keeping this to herself, Juliana had been baptized as a Christian. When the time of her wedding approached, Juliana refused to be married. Her father urged her not to break her engagement, but when she refused to obey him, he handed her over to the Governor, her former fiancé. Once more, Eleusius asked Juliana to marry him, but she again refused.
Juliana was beheaded after suffering torture in 304, during the persecution of Maximian. It is said that her torture included being partially burned in flames and plunged into a boiling pot of oil, before finally being beheaded.
It is only a guess that this carving is of Saint Juliana. No one can confirm or deny it.
A very bitter story. But we like shows. An execution used to be a social event. And when the dust settles, we create legends and raise them to altars. Ecce homo!
@haskar I know :-) We humans are so strange. She is considered a saint. I must agree. I don't know if I would have been as strong and faithful.
. @rickster549 thank you. @sjgiesman She is a saint because of her faithfulness to God, hence the creation. Most likely a fellow Christian did the work in 1417, her death was 304 AD. Someone wanted her dead and forgotten, God had other plans. @joysabin 100% Thank you. @frodob Thank you. @monachorome Thanks for reading and noticing. She is amazing, and heartbreaking, but now at peace. @bjywamer Thanks Barb :-)
July 17th, 2024
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. @rickster549 thank you.
@sjgiesman She is a saint because of her faithfulness to God, hence the creation. Most likely a fellow Christian did the work in 1417, her death was 304 AD. Someone wanted her dead and forgotten, God had other plans.
@joysabin 100% Thank you.
@frodob Thank you.
@monachorome Thanks for reading and noticing. She is amazing, and heartbreaking, but now at peace.
@bjywamer Thanks Barb :-)