Charalambos
Saint Charalambos or Haralambos (Ancient Greek: Ἅγιος Χαράλαμπος) was an early Christian priest in Magnesia on the Maeander, a city in Asia Minor, in the diocese of the same name. His name Χαράλαμπος means glowing with joy in Greek.
Born~Died 87 ~ 202Last edited Oct 15, 2026, 4:22 PM
Details
- Born ~ Died
- 87 ~ 202
- Born
- c. 89 (supposedly), Magnesia on the Maeander, Asia Minor, (modern-day Tekin, Aydın Province, Turkey)
- Died
- 202 (supposedly aged 113), Antioch of Pisidia, (modern-day Yalvaç, Isparta Province, Turkey)
- Venerated in
- Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church
- Major shrine
- Monastery of Saint Stephen, Meteora, Greece
- Feast
- 10 February (February 23 according to the Old Calendar)
- Attributes
- Vested as either a priest or bishop, holding a Gospel Book, with right hand raised in blessing.
- Location
- 37.8527, 27.5271
Saint Charalambos or Haralambos (Ancient Greek: Ἅγιος Χαράλαμπος) was an early Christian priest in Magnesia on the Maeander, a city in Asia Minor, in the diocese of the same name. His name Χαράλαμπος means glowing with joy in Greek. He lived during the reign of Septimius Severus (193–211), when Lucian was Proconsul of Magnesia. According to one source, at the time of his martyrdom in 202, Charalambos was 113 years old.1
Life and martyrdom
Charalambos was Bishop of Magnesia and spread the Gospel in that region for many years. However, when news of his preaching reached the authorities of the area, the proconsul Lucian and military commander Lucius, the saint was arrested and brought to trial, where he confessed his faith in Christ and refused to offer sacrifice to idols.2
Despite his advanced age, he was tortured mercilessly. They lacerated his body with iron hooks, and scraped all the skin from his body.2 The saint had only one thing to say to his tormentors: "Thank you, my brethren, for scraping off the old body and renewing my soul for new and eternal life."1
According to the saint's hagiography, upon witnessing Charalambos' endurance of these tortures, two soldiers, Porphyrius and Baptus, openly confessed their faith in Christ, for which they were immediately beheaded with a sword. Three women who were watching the sufferings of Charalambos also began to glorify Christ, and were martyred as well.2
This page is based on “Charalambos” from English Wikipedia, (r1352927642) CC BY-SA 4.0 used under the license. The original authors are listed in its page history.
Last edited Oct 15, 2026, 4:22 PM · r123909 · Text is available under CC BY-SA 4.0.