St.Kalliope was a saint of the third century AD. She was martyred near the beginning of Emperor Decus’  violent suppression of Christians within the Roman Empire.

By the age of twenty-one (by third century standards a ripe age), Kalliope had already passed the age at which most girls marry. In fact she had no social prospects at all. She spent her days dedicated to her religion with little thought to social life. She hadn’t been deemed ready for marriage even though she was obedient and met the criteria for marriage. When at last she seemed ready for marriage, many suitors asked for her hand.

One pagan suitor sent word that were she to reject him in favor of another, especially a Christian, he would see to it that the pagan authorities would carry out their form of justice. Kalliope did not hesitate to not only deny this suitor, but made it plain that she would not marry him even if he were a Christian—such a conversion, she said, could not be reliably authentic.
This didn’t bring her any more acclaim from the Romans who saw her as rebellious, not to mention that she was a Christian in a pagan land.

The spurned suitor arranged for her to be brought before a magistrate, where she was accused of a variety of crimes ranging from a mockery of the pagan faith to treason against the state. According to tradition, the suitor paid a parade of witnesses to testify against Kalliope in order to destroy her reputation. She was deemed guilty, and the rejected suitor stepped forth to offer a withdrawal of the charges against her if she would disavow Christ and become his pagan bride. The alternative was torture, and if that didn’t bend her will, then it was death.

Taken to the public square, she was bound to the post and mercilessly flogged until her clothing and flesh were in tatters. Her beautiful face was scarred with branding irons and salt was poured into her open wounds, and while the breath of life was still within her she was told to disavow Christ. When she refused she was beheaded. She died in the year 250 AD.

APOLYTIKION
Having loved the beauty of the Savior from your soul, O comely-virgin lady, O all-praised Kalliope, you struggled steadfastly on His behalf, and were made worthy of divine glory. Because of this, we honor your holy memory and cry out to you: glory to Him Who gave you strength, glory to Him Who crowned you, glory to Him Who grants to us, through you, remission of offenses.

KONTAKION
Shining with the grace of virginity, you offered yourself to Christ in martyrdom, Whose joy you received that surpasses every mind, O all-famed Kalliope; intercede on behalf of those who honor you.

OIKOS
Being truly beautiful in form, O virgin, you were shown to be beautiful and spotless in soul by Christ the King of the heavens, not having spot or wrinkle, but being aflame with divine love, with the fragrance of purity as from the wondrous incense, and having angelic purity in your heart. Therefore being betrothed to your immortal Bridegroom, you struggled astonishingly for Him, and were steadfast amidst many pains, and trampled upon the ancient enemy. And you ever partake of the joy of your Bridegroom, O all-famed Kalliope; intercede on behalf of those who honor you.