Saint Malchus of Syria (or Malchus of Chalcis) was the only child of a farming family that resided near Antioch in Syria during the fourth century. When he reached mature age Malchus' parents desired that he should marry. Malchus secretly left his family home at this time and began his monastic life. Malchus' slave master insisted that he marry another of the slaves, but Malchus, faithful to his monastic vocation refused to consummate the union. In time his wife came to accept the Christian faith. According to records: