Cyricus, St

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Cyricus, St reputed 4th-century martyr, said to have been put to death as a child with his mother Julitta, and traditionally counted as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. He may be shown as a naked child riding a boar, reflecting the story that he appeared to Charlemagne in a dream promising to save his life on a boar-hunt if the king would clothe him; this was interpreted by the bishop of Nevers as meaning that the king should repair the roof of the cathedral of St Cyr. His feast day is 16 June (15 July in the Eastern Church).