Feb 16th - Juliana of Nicomedia

When you see Juliana depicted it is often as a young woman battling a winged devil, which may seem a bit St. George-ish but it is for a different reason. The dragon is representative of her trials and torture before her martyrdom, and from the description of them it is apt.

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As a pastor, I am obligated by divine commandment to give my life for those I love ... even for those who would assassinate me.... For that reason, I offer God my blood for the redemption and resurrection of El Salvador.... Martyrdom is a grace that I don’t believe I merit. But if God accepts the sacrifice of my life, may my blood be the seed of liberty and sign that this hope will soon become a reality. May my death, if it is accepted by God, be for the liberation of my people and a testimony of hope in the future.

-- Oscar Romero, 1987