Martyrs Thyrsos, Leukios, Callinicos of Apollonia

Thyrsus, Leucius and Callinicus suffered in Bithynia, in northwest Asia Minor, in the persecution of Decius (249–251). According to the Byzantine account, Leucius openly rebuked the governor Cumbricius for persecuting Christians and was beheaded. Thyrsus, who also confessed his faith, was tortured again and again and died at prayer. Callinicus, a pagan priest who watched the tortures, became a Christian and was beheaded.

The Roman Martyrology places them at Apollonia and tells it differently: Thyrsus and Callinicus died by the sword, Leucius at the call of a heavenly voice. Churches were built in honor of Thyrsus in Constantinople and in Spain.