St. Julian was a legendary
saint. Once while hunting he caught a stag, who foretold that he would
kill his parents. Horrified Julian left his parents’ house. In another
land he became a knight and married a rich widow. Julian’s parents, not
knowing the reason of their son’s disappearance searched for him everywhere
and once came to his castle. Julian was absent, and his wife welcomed his
parents and gave them the best bedroom (Julian’s and hers) to sleep in.
Julian returned at night and founding two people in his bed thought that
it was his unfaithful wife with her lover. He slaughtered them both. After
discovering his mistake he became a hermit; he settled on a river bank
and helped people to cross it. Once a poor traveler asked for help. Julian
gave him hospitality, fed him and warmed him. After that the traveler,
who was Christ himself, told him that his sin was forgiven.
See: Andrea del Castagno. The
Assumption of the Virgin with SS. Julian and Miniato. St
Julian and the Redeemer.
Gentile da Fabriano. Madonna
and Child, with St. Lawrence and St. Julian.
Masaccio. St. Julian
Slaying His Parents.
Recommended reading:
Lives
of the Saints: From Mary and Francis of Assisi to John XXIII and Mother
Teresa by Richard McBrien (Author). Harper San Francisco, 2001.
The
Oxford Dictionary of Saints (Oxford Paperback Reference) by
David Hugh Farmer. Oxford University Press, 2003.
The
Book of Saints: The Lives of the Saints According to the Liturgical Calendar
by George Angelini, Victor Hoagland (Editor). Regina Press, Malhame &
Company, 1986.
365
Saints: Your Daily Guide to the Wisdom and Wonder of Their Lives
by Woodeene Koenig-Brick (Author). Harper SanFrancisco, 1995.