Callinicus of Gangra

Callinicus was a Christian preacher of Cilicia in Asia Minor during the persecution of Diocletian, who traveled from city to city through the towns of southeastern Anatolia, encouraging the imprisoned Christians and preaching openly in the marketplaces. He was arrested in the city of Ancyra in Galatia and brought before the governor Sacerdos, who attempted by gradually escalating torments to break his resolve.

When ordinary scourging and the rack failed, Sacerdos ordered Callinicus shod with iron sandals studded with sharp nails on the inside, and made to walk in chains beside the governor's chariot the thirty-league journey from Ancyra to Gangra in Paphlagonia. The synaxarion records that Callinicus walked the whole distance singing psalms and that at the end of the journey he was given fresh water — the only mercy of the road — at the cost of his blood soaked into the path behind him.

At Gangra he was cast into a great furnace that had been prepared, and was crowned there in the flames. The Christians of Gangra retrieved what remained and buried him with honor. His feast falls on July 29.