The Orthodox Church commemorates today Saint Eustathius the Great Martyr, his wife Theopiste and their two sons, Agapius and Theopistus, as well as Saint Meletius, Bishop of Cyprus.
As soon as the pagan emperor Trajan learned that Placidas- this was the name of Saint Eustathius before he was baptised – became a Christian, he expelled him from his military post and exiled him with his family.
Placidas was then separated from his wife and his two sons. When Trajan encountered difficulties in the wars, he called the experienced and courageous Eustathius to join the army, who contributed greatly to the victory.
However, Hadrian, Trajan’s successor, asked Saint Eustathius to attend an idolatrous feast and make a sacrifice to the idols as a thanksgiving for the victory. The Saint refused and confessed that he secured victory by the power of Christ. Then, for his confession of Faith in Christ, he was imprisoned along with all his family members and all were tortured.
They passed away one after the other, remaining firm and steadfast in the Orthodox faith and the truth of the Holy Gospel.
Source: Church of Cyprus
