Callisthene of Ephesus

Holy Martyr Callisthene of Ephesus was the daughter of the Holy Martyr Davictus (Adauctus) of Ephesus and lived in the time of the Emperor Maximian. The Church commemorates her on 17 October (new style).

Davictus was the governor of Ephesus in the time of Maximian and confessed the Christian faith. Because he resisted giving his daughter Callisthene in marriage to a pagan emperor, he was deprived of honour and wealth, sent into exile at Melitene and there beheaded with the sword. Saint Callisthene hid at first in Nicomedia, then withdrew to Thrace. After the death of Maximian she returned to her homeland, where she recovered the property taken from her and distributed it to the poor. She moved her father's body from the place of exile to Asia and built a church in his memory. She herself spent the rest of her life pleasing to God and passed in peace to the Lord.