Saint Callistratus and the forty-nine soldiers who believed through his martyrdom
Saint Callistratus was born in Carthage and was a Christian from birth. His father and grandfather were Christians, and the faith had been passed down through his family. One of his ancestors, Neochorus, had served as a soldier in Jerusalem during the Passion of the Lord. He saw the miracles of Christ, believed in Him, was taught the faith, and was baptized by the Apostles. Generations later, Saint Callistratus was raised in that same holy…
Saint Callistratus was born in Carthage and was a Christian from birth. His father and grandfather were Christians, and the faith had been passed down through his family. One of his ancestors, Neochorus, had served as a soldier in Jerusalem during the Passion of the Lord.
He saw the miracles of Christ, believed in Him, was taught the faith, and was baptized by the Apostles. Generations later, Saint Callistratus was raised in that same holy faith. While serving in the army, he was the only Christian in his regiment.
Some of his fellow soldiers saw him rising at night to pray to God, and they reported him to the commander Persentinus, a fierce persecutor of Christians. When ordered to sacrifice to idols, Callistratus refused. He was beaten severely and thrown into the sea, but by the power of God he was saved and came out unharmed. Seeing his endurance and the miracle God worked through him, forty-nine soldiers believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.
They were beaten and thrown into prison with him. There, Saint Callistratus taught them the Christian faith and strengthened them to suffer courageously for Christ. At night, the persecutor sent soldiers into the prison, and Saint Callistratus and his forty-nine companions were killed. They suffered for the truth in the year 304.
- Callistratus came from a Christian lineage tracing to Neochorus, who witnessed Christ's Passion and was baptized by the Apostles
- As the only Christian in his regiment, he was reported for praying at night
- He refused to sacrifice to idols, was beaten and thrown into the sea, but emerged unharmed
- Forty-nine soldiers believed after seeing the miracle and were imprisoned with him
- Callistratus and the forty-nine were killed in prison in 304