Martyrs Callinica and Aquilina of Lycia
died ca. 250
Two women sent to seduce the martyr Christopher of Lycia who were instead converted by his witness and martyred with him, about the year 250.
Life
Callinica (also rendered Kallinike) and Aquilina (Aquilina) were two women who, according to the Greek Martyrdom narrative of Saint Christopher of Lycia, were sent to seduce the imprisoned martyr Christopher but were instead converted by his witness and put to death with him. Their martyrdom is set during the reign of the Roman emperor Decius (249–251) and is dated about the year 250.
By tradition the two women were dispatched to Christopher's cell with promises of royal reward if they could tempt the saint into sin. Rather than fulfilling their mission, both were converted to Christianity upon encountering him, and they suffered martyrdom for their new faith. They have no surviving biography independent of Christopher's; the Eastern Orthodox Church commemorates the three together on May 9.
Because their account is preserved only as part of Christopher's passion, the historical detail recorded of Callinica and Aquilina is limited to the circumstances of their conversion and execution.
Timeline 2 moments Read Hide
- 249–251 Reign of Decius The persecution under the Roman emperor Decius forms the setting for the martyrdom, which the OCA Synaxarion dates to about the year 250.
- ca. 250 Conversion and martyrdom Sent to seduce the imprisoned Christopher, Callinica and Aquilina are instead converted in his cell and put to death — Aquilina hung by her hair with stones tied to her feet, Callinica impaled on a spit after insulting the idols.
Commemorated with Saint Christopher of Lycia (May 9, OS-1135).