The Orthodox Church commemorates today the holy Martyr Calliopius.
The holy Martyr Calliopius was from Perga in Pamphylia, brought up in piety by his godly mother Theocleia.
When the persecution of Maximian broke out, Saint Calliopius presented himself of his own accord before Governor Maximus in Pompeiopolis of Galatia. After he had suffered many torments, his mother visited him in prison and encouraged him in his martyrdom.
After this, his thrice-blessed mother, upon learning that he was to be crucified on Holy and Great Thursday, bribed the tyrants to defer it one day, that he might imitate the Lord’s Crucifixion on the same day that He suffered it. The holy Martyr Calliopius received the crown of martyrdom on Holy and Great Friday in the year 304, being crucified upside down.
