Saints Julitta And Cyricus: Were They The Silent Protecters For Women In Childbirth In Byzantine Cappadocia?

Abstract

The martyrs of Tarsus, saint Julitta and her son Cyricus have been regarded as one of the holy intercessors, particularly for their curative roles during childbirth from the ancients times to late Byzantine period, and even after. In addition to their great popularity in the Orient, they have also a widespread fame in the West during the Middle Ages, in spite of the ban in 5th century. In this paper, it will be attempted to interpret the possible purpose for the location of the images of the holy mother and son in prominent places in the churches of Cappadocia in the light of the manuscripts in Anglo-Saxon world containing the images or prayers related to saints.