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Memory of St. Martyr Audactus and his daughter Callisthene

October 4, 2026 · 1 min read

Today, October 4, our Church commemorates St. Hierotheos, Bishop of Athens and member of the Council of the Areopagus like Saint Dionysius, whose feast was celebrated yesterday. Our Church also honours St. Martyr Audactus and his daughter Callisthene.

Audactus was originally from Ephesus and was appointed eparch by Emperor Maximian. When Maximian asked Callisthene, the daughter of Audactus, to be his wife, her father did not want to give her to a pagan. Therefore, after the emperor’s envoys seized Audactus’ possessions, they banished him to Melitene, where he was beheaded.

His daughter, Callisthene, wore men’s clothes and hid somewhere in Nicomedia. Later she went to Thrace, where she stayed with a hospitable family. The Saint healed their blind daughter, and the girl’s parents, who considered Callisthene to be a man, asked him to marry her. So, St. Callisthene revealed the truth, and they glorified God all together. Then, Callisthene left to find more exercise and humility.

Later, she met Constantia, Sister of Constantine the Great. Thus, she managed to take back her father’s property and also to transfer his relic from Melitene to Ephesus to a church she built in his…

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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მარიამ მამულაშვილი

Father Audakt did not want to give his daughter to a heathen, so they took everything and exiled him to Melitene. And Callisthenes put on men's clothes and hid in Nicomedia. He finally built a church in Ephesus for his father's remains, that's pretty cool.

Елена Белова

It’s interesting how Callisthena hid in men’s clothing, and then also healed a blind girl. And her father, Audakt, was not afraid to refuse the emperor, even though he lost everything. It’s good that at least the relics were later returned to Ephesus and the church was built.

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ლელა ნოზაძე

Maria, I liked that Callisthenes put on men's clothes and protected himself. Moving the pieces from Melitene to Ephesus and building a church is really amazing courage. Why do you think he left in the end even more humiliated?

Δέσποινα Χατζή

Audactus did not hesitate to lose everything rather than give his daughter to a heathen. What impressed me is that Callisthenes, after healing the little girl in Thrace, revealed the truth instead of continuing the concealment. Finally he went and found Constantia to get back the property and build the church in Ephesus – nice to have it full circle.

Γιώργος Μακρής

Yes, Audactus' attitude shows how seriously he took his faith, even if it meant exile and death. What I loved about Callisthenes is that she didn't stay hidden forever; once she healed the little girl in Thrace, she told the truth and glorified God with them. In the end, the fact that he was able to get the property back and build the church in Ephesus shows that God comes full circle in a way you don't expect.

Βασιλική Θεοδώρου

Yes, George, Avdaktos' attitude was indeed a tough decision, especially as a father. It struck me that Callisthenes, after leaving Thrace, didn't just stay in Constantia but went and took the remains back to Ephesus – as if the circle was closed where their family began. Do you think that such stories show us more patience or courage?