3rd century
Saints Thyrsus, Leucius and Callinicus
Christians of Asia Minor martyred in the mid-3rd century during the persecution of Decius; according to tradition, the pagan priest Callinicus came to believe after hearing Thyrsus confess his faith.
Biography
Thyrsus, Leucius and Callinicus came from Bithynia and lived in Asia Minor in the mid-3rd century, known for their humility and charitable works. During the persecution of Decius, the governor Cumbricius arrested Leucius after he asked him to show restraint towards Christians, and had him beheaded.
A few days later Thyrsus boldly told the governor that paganism was a delusion; a pagan priest, Callinicus, overheard him, believed on the spot, and was immediately beheaded. According to tradition, when they tried to saw Thyrsus in half the saw grew so heavy they could not use it; his relics were later taken to Constantinople, and his cult spread as far as the Iberian Peninsula.