Martyr 4th century

Martyr Julian of Emesa

3rd–4th century (martyred c. 312)

Also known as Julian of Emesa the Physician

A physician of Emesa in Syria who secretly tended and encouraged imprisoned confessors, and who was himself seized and martyred about the year 312.

Feast Day

February 6

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Commemorated as

The Holy Martyr Julian of Emesa, the Physician

Come to them for

Healing

Life

Julian of Emesa was a Christian physician of the city of Emesa in Phoenicia, in Syria (modern Homs), who suffered martyrdom in the early fourth century. By the accounts of his life he healed both the bodies and the souls of those who came to him and brought many to the Christian faith, and he is sometimes numbered among the Holy Unmercenary physicians who took no payment for their cures.

He was seized after openly encouraging a group of imprisoned confessors who were being led to execution, and was himself put to death by a singularly brutal means. He is venerated as a protector of his native city, where a church was raised over the site of his death.

Timeline 4 moments Read Hide

3rd–4th century Physician of Emesa Julian lived in Emesa in Phoenicia, in Syria, where he practiced as a physician and was held to heal illnesses of both body and soul, bringing many to faith in Christ.
During the persecution Ministry to the confessors When the bishop Silvanus, the deacon Luke, and the reader Mocius were led away to be put to death, Julian came to encourage them and to urge them not to fear death for the Lord, and was immediately arrested.
c. 312 Martyrdom Julian was put to death for his faith; according to the synaxarion his head, hands, and feet were pierced with long nails. The sources place his martyrdom about the year 312 under the emperor Maximian, though some accounts date it earlier.
5th century Church over his tomb A church was founded at Emesa on the site associated with his death, where his remains were enshrined.

Contributions & Legacy

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Life and Martyrdom

Julian was a native of the Phoenician city of Emesa, the modern Homs in Syria. He worked as a physician and, according to his life, healed not only bodily illnesses but also the soul, converting many to faith in Christ. For this reason he is sometimes counted among the Holy Unmercenary physicians, who healed without taking payment.

During a persecution of Christians, the bishop Silvanus, the deacon Luke, and the reader Mocius were condemned and led out to die. As they were taken to their execution, Julian approached to embrace and encourage them, urging them not to fear death for the Lord, and was seized on the spot. By the synaxarion account he was put to death by having his head, hands, and feet pierced with long nails. The Orthodox accounts place his suffering about the year 312 in the reign of the emperor Maximian; other traditions record an earlier date, in the late third century.

Relics & Shrines

A church was raised at Emesa over the place associated with his death, and his relics were enshrined there. The site has remained a center of his veneration, and he is honored as a protector of the city of Emesa (Homs). His memory is kept on February 6.

Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Feb 6