Celebration date: 14/12/2021
Saints Thyrsos, Lefkios and Kallinikos (according to others Koronatos) lived in the middle of the 3rd century AD. They came from Bithynia and lived in Caesarea and all belonged to distinguished families. They were humble characters and loved God “ἐν ἀγαπῃ ἀνηποκρίτῳ” (2 Corinthians, v. 6), that is, with real love and free from hypocrisy. That’s why they avoided the noise of publicity, but they were famous for their alms-filled lives.
The prefect Kumbrikios, a fanatical pagan, seeing the Christians progress, tried in every way to limit them. This situation made Lefkios white and went to the prefect. He begged him to be more moderate towards the Christians. As soon as Cumbricius heard this, he immediately arrested him and sentenced him to death. And in the morning, outside the city, he beheaded him.
The event saddened the Christians, but it kindled even more the flame of faith in Christ. After two days, another Christian went to the prefecture, Thyrsos. He boldly told him that idolatry is delusion and that the final victor will be Christ. A priest of the idols, Kallinikos, heard these and many other wise words of Thyrsos. His soul was enlightened and he declared himself a Christian. Then, on the spot, the prefect beheaded Kallinikos and sawed Thyrsos.
