St. Juliana of Lazarevo

We have a hand-written copy of this icon in our church.  It is a large panel style icon that takes up most of one of the back walls.

Today is my namesday!  It is the day that the Orthodox Church remembers St. Juliana of Lazarevo and most Orthodox treat their namesdays like a lesser birthday.  I have the great fortune to attend a parish that not only celebrates her day (our priest has a daughter named for her) but also has a large icon of her in the nave.  She isn't a major saint, and her day coincides with St. Seraphim of Sarov, a much beloved and revered saint, so in most parishes, St. Seraphim overshadows St. Juliana.

What I liked about her is that she was fairly ordinary--she married, had many children, lived her life in a pious manner in 16th century Russia.  You can read an account of her life here (is it a little long and rambling).

Tropar:

Shining forth with grace divine,/ even after death thou hast revealed the radiance of thy life;/ for thou pourest forth fragrant myrrh for healing/ upon all the sick who approach the shrine of thy relics with faith./ O righteous mother Juliana,/ entreat Christ God,// that our souls be saved.

Icon images courtesy of St. Juliana Orthodox Church in New Mexico.