Julian of Emesa

Life & Legacy

Julian of Emesa (Greek: Ἰουλιανός ὁ ἐν Ἐμέσῃ; Latin: Julianus Emesenus) or Elian al-Homsi (Arabic: إليان الحمصي), also spelt Elyan or Ilyan, was a third-century Christian from Emesa (modern Homs, in Syria) who reputedly practiced as a physician or healer. He was martyred, either in 284 or 312, for his refusal to renounce Christianity.
Venerated as a saint, his feast day is 6 February in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions, and 7 February in the Anglican, Oriental Orthodox and the Ancient Church of the East traditions.
The Church of Saint Elian was founded in 432 on the claimed spot of Julian's death, with his remains placed in a sarcophagus in a small chapel to the right of the church's main crypt.