Ss. Natalia and Liliosa, along with their husbands, in Cordoba, Spain

Commemorated on July 27

Aurelius lived in Cordoba, Spain in the ninth century and was the son of a Muslim father and a Christian mother. He was also a secret Christian, as was his wife. Natalia, who was also the child of a Muslim father. They conformed to Muslim customers outwardly, but practiced their Christian faith in secret.

One day, Aurelius happened to see a Christian patiently enduring the scorn of the people and the fierce blows of the whip for having publicly confessed his faith. This worked a dramatic change in Aurelius. From that moment on, he and his Natalia began to live their Christian faith openly. After setting aside enough money to take care of their daughter’s future, they distributed the rest of their possessions to the poor, and gave themselves over to penance and devotion.

Their example proved to be an inspiration for a relative of Aurelius named Felix, who had renounced his faith, and his wife, Liliosa, who had been practicing her Christianity in secret. Felix returned to the Church and both openly practiced their faith. They also began to visit and minister to the Christians who were in prison.

It did not take long before these dedicated servants of God were arrested and thrown into prison. Also arrested with them was a beggar named George, who belonged to the monastery of St. Sabas in Jerusalem and had toured Egypt and Europe in search of alms for his house.

The accused were brought before Caliph Abderrahman II and were ordered to renounce their Christian faith. Refusing to do so, they were sentenced to be beheaded.

Since he could not be accused of the same crime as the others “apostasy from the Moslem faith ” George openly insulted Mohammed to the Caliph’s face. Thus, when the first four were condemned to death by beheading, George was also included.

On July 27, 852, these saintly followers of Christ achieved martyrdom.

By permission of www.orthodoxeurope.org