Saint Kalistrat and the 49 martyrs commemorated today
The Orthodox Church marks the feast of Saint Kalistrat — his miracle led 49 soldiers to conversion; they were martyred in 304.
Today the Orthodox Church remembers Saint Martyr Kalistrat and the forty-nine soldiers who embraced Christianity after witnessing his faith. The commemoration is observed together with the faithful of the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric.
According to the traditional hagiography, Kalistrat was born in Carthage and raised in a devout Christian household by his parents and his grandfather Neokor, who once served as a soldier in Jerusalem during the Passion of Jesus and witnessed many of the Lord’s deeds.
Kalistrat later served as a soldier in the Byzantine army during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. While on duty he was the only Christian in his unit. When his comrades saw him praying at night, they reported him to their commander Persentin, notorious for persecuting Christians.
After Kalistrat refused to offer sacrifice to the idols, he was severely beaten and thrown into the sea. Tradition holds that a miracle occurred: God saved him and he came ashore alive, even walking on the water.
Conversion of the forty-nine and their fate
Moved by that miracle and by Kalistrat’s endurance, forty-nine soldiers from his legion immediately believed in Christ. They were imprisoned together with Kalistrat, who taught them the faith and strengthened their resolve.
The cruel commander, seeing they would not renounce their belief, ordered them all executed. Saint Kalistrat and his 49 companions died for the faith in the year 304, and a church was later erected at the place of their martyrdom. The Church also commemorates the Apostles of the Seventy — Mark (John), Aristarchus and Zinon — who tirelessly spread the Gospel.
In keeping with tradition, believers go to church on this day to pray for the health of their loved ones and for peace in the family.
Tropar of Saint Martyr Kalistrat:
"He who wills all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth set you, Kalistrat, as a flawless vessel of faith, placing you before all as an ornament of grace; through you the heavens won a multitude of warriors, and the Church was adorned with new crowns. Intercede for us now, O Christ's martyr, that we may enter the heavenly courts."
Photo: Vikipedija
