St. Eustathius Placidas
St. Eustathius, named Placidas before his baptism, was a distinguished Roman general under the Emperors Titus and Trajan.
While hunting he saw a radiant Cross between the antlers of a stag and heard the voice of Christ, after which he was baptized together with his wife Theopiste and his sons Agapius and Theopistus. Like Job he endured the loss of his wealth and the separation of his family, yet after years of trial they were miraculously reunited and he was restored to his command. When Emperor Hadrian ordered him to sacrifice to the idols, he confessed Christ and was martyred with his whole family in a red-hot bronze bull around the year 118, their bodies found untouched by the fire.
Lord, I believe that You are the God of Heaven and earth, the Creator of all things. Master, teach me what I should do.
I am a Christian and I glorify and give thanks to Christ, and I offer sacrifice to Him. I owe my life to Him. I do not know or believe in any other God.
Troparion · Tone 4
Your holy martyr Eustathius and his wife and sons, O Lord, through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God. For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries, and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. Through their intercessions, save our souls!
Kontakion · Tone 2
O blest one, since thou didst emulate Christ's sufferings and drankest His cup with eagerness, thou didst become a partaker and joint-heir of His glory, O wise Eustathius; and since He is God of all things, He gave thee divine power from Heaven's heights.
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