The Life and Martyrdom of the Holy Great Martyr Eustathius and His Family

The life of the Holy Great Martyr Eustathius (also known as Eustace or Eustathios) and his family is a story of unwavering faith, sacrifice, and divine providence. His commemoration on September 20th serves as a reminder of the trials faced by those who hold fast to Christ amidst adversity.

Eustathius, originally named Placidus, was a distinguished Roman general serving under Emperor Trajan in the late 1st and early 2nd centuries. Despite his prestigious position and his pagan upbringing, he was known for his sense of justice, kindness, and humility. However, it was during a hunting trip that his life would be transformed forever. While chasing a stag, he saw a miraculous vision: a cross shining between the antlers of the deer, and he heard the voice of Christ calling him to the true faith.

Deeply moved by this divine revelation, Placidus sought out instruction in Christianity and, along with his wife Tatiana (who took the name Theopiste) and their two young sons, Agapitus and Theopistus, was baptized by a priest named John. Following their baptism, Placidus received the Christian name Eustathius, meaning “steadfast” or “enduring,” a foreshadowing of the trials that lay ahead.

Shortly after his conversion, Eustathius and his family were tested through a series of tragic events. First, they lost all their wealth and property, reducing the formerly wealthy family to poverty. Forced to leave Rome, they sought refuge in a remote land, only to be struck by another calamity. During their journey, Eustathius’s family was separated: his wife was abducted by a passing ship’s captain, and his two sons were snatched away by wild animals. Though left utterly alone, Eustathius’s faith did not waver. He found solace in prayer, believing that God would reunite his family in due time.

For fifteen years, Eustathius lived in obscurity as a humble laborer. Unbeknownst to him, God had preserved his family. Theopiste, his wife, managed to escape her captors and found work in a village, while their sons were miraculously saved and raised by shepherds in a neighboring region.

In time, the Roman Empire faced a severe military threat. Remembering Eustathius’s former military prowess, Emperor Trajan sent emissaries to search for him. Eustathius was brought back to Rome and reinstated as a general. During one of his campaigns, he found himself in the region where his sons lived. By divine providence, Eustathius recognized his sons through a series of miraculous signs, and the family was joyously reunited. Soon after, they also discovered Theopiste, completing their restoration through the grace of God.

However, their newfound happiness was short-lived. Emperor Hadrian, who succeeded Trajan, demanded that Eustathius offer sacrifices to the pagan gods in thanksgiving for his victories. When Eustathius, Theopiste, and their sons steadfastly refused, declaring their allegiance to Christ, they were sentenced to death. The emperor ordered that they be thrown into a heated bronze bull, a torturous execution designed to instill fear in the hearts of other Christians.

Even in the face of such brutal persecution, the Holy Great Martyr Eustathius and his family remained resolute, praying and singing hymns to God as they were martyred. After their deaths, the bodies of the holy martyrs were found unburned and untouched by the fire, a final testament to the power of faith in Christ. They were reverently buried by the faithful, and their relics became a source of healing and inspiration for many.

The life of St. Eustathius and his family is a profound testimony to the endurance of Christian faith under the most extreme trials. It reminds the faithful that suffering and loss, when borne with patience and trust in God, can be transformed into a witness for Christ. Their steadfastness serves as an example for all who seek to live a life pleasing to God, showing that true victory is found not in earthly success, but in eternal communion with our Lord.

May the Holy Great Martyr Eustathius, Theopiste, and their children intercede for us before the throne of God and strengthen us in our own spiritual battles.