The Holy Martyr Adauctus and His Daughter St. Callisthene of Ephesus

The Holy Martyr Adauctus of Ephesus, minature (10^th c), Menaion of Vasilios II

Adauctus was born in Ephesus and became the governor of his city during the reign of Emperor Maximian in the fourth century. When Emperor Maximian asked Adauctus for his daughter Callisthene's hand in marriage, Adauctus refused him, as he did not want his daughter to be the wife of a pagan idolater. Because of this, Adauctus was stripped of his position, his property was confiscated, and he was exiled to Melitene (Armenia), where he was beheaded Callisthene initially hid in Nicomedia, then traveled to Thrace (the northeastern part of the Balkan Peninsula), and settled with a woman whose daughter she healed from an eye ailment through prayer. After Maximian's death, Callisthene went to the wife of the new emperor Licinius Constantia, the sister of Emperor Constantine the Great, who was a Christian, and told her everything about herself. The queen lovingly received her and helped her regain her father's confiscated property from Maximian. Upon receiving her property back, Callisthene distributed it to the poor. She then transferred her father's holy body from the place of captivity in Melitene to Asia, in Ephesus. There, she built a temple in his memory and placed his holy relics in it. She spent the rest of her life in holy apostolic work and eventually reposed in the Lord.

Troparion to Sts. Adauctus and Callisthene – Tone 4

Today we have gathered to celebrate a true and godly-wise martyr, sufferer for piety, glorious Adauctus, who did not give his daughter as a bride to the godless emperor, and was thus crowned with martyrdom; through his prayers his daughter Callisthene shone forth with chastity and wed to the King of Heaven. Thus they became the glory and boast of Ephesus.

Kontakion Tone 3

Your holy memory calls us all to your city of Ephesus, where we have joyfully gathered, calling out to you, Adauctus, with your daughter Callisthene, who pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.

 

Holy Martyr Adauctus and Righteous Callisthene, Pray to God for us!

 The Orthodox Church celebrates their memory on the 4^th/17^th of October