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Commemorated on February 26
The Holy Martyr
John Kalphes (Architect) lived in a suburb of Constantinople, called
Galata. By profession he was an architect and in his craft he had acquired
great mastery, such that important officials made use of his services. He was
entrusted with the inner adornment of the sultan's palace.
Saint John Kalphes
was distinguished for his Christian charity, he concerned himself over orphans
and about those locked up in prison, and many turned to him for help. One time
a certain dignitary asked Saint John to take on his nephew as an apprentice. He
agreed, and the youth upon completion of his apprenticeship received honourable
position at court. And one time, encountering his former teacher and
benefactor, he began to question Saint John, what it says in the Christian
books about the "prophet" Mahomet. Saint John did not want to answer
his question, but in light of the persistent demands of the youth, he declared
the falseness of Mahometanism. The youth, devoted to Islam, reported to his
co-religionists, that the architect had insulted Mahomet. They brought Saint
John to trial, where they demanded that he renounce Christ, but he bravely
confessed his Orthodox faith. After torture, they sent the holy martyr off to
penal servitude, where he spent 6 months. Then, over the course of the next
three months they beat him in the prison and finally, on 26 February 1575, they
beheaded him in the crowded city-square in Ergat-Bazara, near Bezstan. The
suffering of the holy Martyr John Kalphes were recorded by a steward of the
Constantinople Patriarch, Andrew, who communed him with the Holy Mysteries in
prison.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.
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