In Phoenicia, in the city of Emesa, there lived a man named Klitophon, who had a wife, Levkippiya, who was barren and suffered from her husband's reproaches. Both were pagans and worshipped the goddess Artemis. At that time, Christians were being cruelly persecuted in the city, and a monk named Onuphrius, hiding his monastic life, taught people the true faith. Levkippiya, meeting him, revealed her sorrow about her barrenness and learned about Christ. She was baptized by Onuphrius and soon became pregnant, which brought joy to their home. They had a son, Galaktion, whom Onuphrius baptized.
As Galaktion grew up, he was betrothed to Epistima, but he did not greet her with a kiss, as she was a pagan. Epistima, wishing to be with Galaktion, accepted Christianity and was secretly baptized by him. They both decided to maintain their virginity and become monks. They distributed their possessions and came to the monastery, where they were accepted into the monastic order.
At that time, persecutions against Christians began, and the saints were captured. Galaktion and Epistima, unafraid of torture, confessed their faith. They were cruelly tortured, but they remained steadfast. Epistima, seeing Galaktion's suffering, decided to follow him and was also captured. They both stood before the chief Ursus, who ordered them to be tortured, but the saints did not renounce Christ.
After severe tortures, they were executed, and their bodies were left unburied. A servant named Evtolmius, who was watching over them, secretly buried them. Their life and sufferings became an example of faith and steadfastness for many.
