Saint Meletios the Martyr lived during the reign of the Roman Emperor Antoninus. He was a military general and came from the southern regions of Galatia. Being a Christian, he defended his faith against idolatry. He fought against demons, and together with his soldiers destroyed many pagan temples. The governor Maximian ordered his arrest for these actions and demanded that he offer sacrifices to the idols. However, the saint refused. The governor commanded that his body be beaten with hammers and subjected to horrific torments. Finally, he was hung from a tall pine tree and beaten to death. The commanders Stephen and John, who were together with him, as well as all the soldiers with their wives and children, were beheaded. Thus the holy martyrs completed their lives in martyrdom, gaining eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
