Saint Kyriaki the Great Martyr honored on July 7 by Orthodox churches

On 7 July the Orthodox Church commemorates Saint Kyriaki the Great Martyr, a 3rd‑century Christian from Nicaea who, amid the Diocletian persecution, refused to worship idols, endured brutal torture and was beheaded. The same day also marks the memory of Saint Odysseas the New Martyr of Constantinople and several other early saints.

Greek parishes throughout the country hold liturgies and special prayers for the saints. The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew delivered a sermon at the festive Church of Saint Kyriaki in Kontoskali, praising her steadfast faith as a model for believers. The e‑calendar lists the personal names celebrated on this date—Kyriaki, Kyriaki‑tissa, Kiki, Kika, etc., as well as Odysseas.

These observances are part of the annual Orthodox calendar and are reported by multiple Greek media outlets.