Ss. Aquilina and Callinike, Martyrs of Lycia

Commemorated on May 9

Sts. Aquilina and Callinike were converted by St. Christopher and suffered for Christ in the third century.

When St. Christopher was summoned to appear before the emperor, the emperor tried to make him renounce Christ, not by force but by cunning. The emperor summoned two profligate women, Callinike and Aquilina, and commanded them to persuade Christopher to deny Christ, and to offer sacrifice to the idols. Instead, the women were converted to Christ by St. Christopher.

When they returned to the emperor, they declared themselves to be Christians. They were subjected to fierce beatings, and received the crown of martyrdom.

By permission of the Orthodox Church in America (www.oca.org)