Christians celebrate December 27 The day of memory of the holy martyrs Firs, Leukius and Kalenikos. The future martyrs were born in the Asia Minor province of the Roman Empire – Bithynia province, and received their upbringing and education in Caesarea Palestine. They became holy martyrs because of their unshakable faith in Christ and this happened during the reign of Emperor Decius in the middle of the III century.

Leukius was not afraid to express his opinion about the unjust persecution of Christians, and for this he was beheaded after being tortured. The martyrdom of Leukius inspired Firs, he called himself a Christian, for which he was immediately imprisoned and subjected to torture: beating, crushing his jaw, knocking out his teeth and gouging out his eyes. All this did not break Firs’ faith – with God’s grace, the martyr even managed to survive being doused with boiling tin, remain unharmed and regain his sight. In prison, Firs constantly prayed, for this he received the opportunity to receive baptism and go to the Lord.

Among those present at the torture of Firs was the pagan priest Kalenik (Kallinik), who, having seen the miracles of God and was impressed by the steadfast faith of Firs, himself believed in Christ. For this he was executed by the sword.