Martyr
Martyr Leucius of Caesarea
† ок. 249–251
Also known as: Мч. Левкий, Левкий Вифинский, Мчч. Фирс, Левкий и Каллиник
A Christian of Caesarea in Bithynia who, under Emperor Decius, stood up for persecuted Christians before the governor Cumbricius and was beheaded after torture; commemorated on 14 December with the Martyrs Thyrsus and Callinicus.
The Martyr Leucius suffered for Christ at Caesarea in Bithynia (Asia Minor) during the persecution of Emperor Decius (249–251). The Church commemorates him on 14 December together with the Martyrs Thyrsus and Callinicus.
According to the Greek Synaxarion, Leucius, Thyrsus and Callinicus were natives of Bithynia living in Caesarea, of distinguished families, and known throughout the city for their generous almsgiving. When the governor Cumbricius, a zealous pagan, set about oppressing the growing Christian community, Leucius went to him in person. The Russian Menaion says he openly rebuked the governor for persecuting Christians; the Greek Synaxarion says he asked him to treat them more mildly. Cumbricius had him seized and condemned to death, and after torture Leucius was beheaded, the first of the three to receive the martyr's crown.
Two days later Thyrsus came before the governor and denounced idolatry; he endured many tortures. The pagan priest Callinicus, moved by his courage, confessed Christ and was also beheaded. Leucius is commemorated on 14 (27) December.