Holy Martyr Callinicus (III–IV)

The holy Martyr Callinicus was born in Cilicia. His pious parents brought him up in faithfulness to the faith of Christ. At every step the saint saw the folly of the idol-worshippers, and he decided to take up the labour of an apostle. He went tirelessly from village to village and from city to city, preaching the teaching of the Gospel without ceasing. During one such journey, in the city of Ancyra, the blessed Callinicus was brought before the tribunal of Sacerdon, a cruel persecutor of the Christians. With threats of torture and death the godless ruler tried to force the Lord’s chosen one to offer sacrifice to the idols, but the saint stood firm in the faith. By order of the enraged governor Saint Callinicus was mercilessly beaten with ox sinews, but he bore the pain with calm and patience. This enraged Sacerdon still more. He gave orders for the martyr to be made to wear boots with sharp nails driven into them, and to be driven with whips to be burned. Exhausted by torture, his feet torn and bloody, Callinicus followed the mounted soldiers without complaint. In the terrible drought the executioners were tormented by thirst and told the prisoner to prove the truth of his faith by asking the Lord to bring forth water. Callinicus prayed, and a wondrous spring did indeed burst forth from a rock. Stunned by the miracle, the soldiers were filled with compassion for the saint and even meant to set him free, but they could not overcome their fear of punishment: they made the blessed one continue on his way. When they reached the place of execution, the tormentors built a great pyre to burn Callinicus. And he, filled with joy, gave thanks to the Lord for granting him a martyr’s end and went into the fire himself. His incorrupt body was committed to the earth with honour by the faithful.