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Saint Eustathius: From Roman General to Martyr in a Bronze Ox
13:34
What the video says
The video recounts the life of Saint Eustathius, a Roman general named Placidus who converted to Christianity after seeing a cross between a stag's antlers. He was baptized with his wife and sons, then endured the loss of his family and lived as a laborer in Egypt for fifteen years before being restored to command and reunited with his family.
Under Emperor Hadrian, Eustathius and his family refused to sacrifice to idols and were martyred in a heated bronze ox. The video also briefly tells of Saint Michael of Chernigov and Theodore the Boyar, martyred by the Tatars in 1244, and the Venerable Martyr Hilarion, an Athonite monk beheaded by the Turks in 1804.
A reflection contrasts their endurance with suicide, which is called a mortal sin with no repentance. A contemplation on King Jehoshaphat and a homily on John 14:6 follow, affirming Christ as the only way, truth, and life.
Key moments
- Introduction to Saint Eustathius, a Roman general separated from his family for 15 years.
- Placidus sees a radiant cross between a stag's antlers and hears the Lord's voice directing him to be baptized.
- Placidus, his wife Theopistia, and sons Agapius and Theopistus are baptized; he receives the name Eustathius and hears a voice foretelling his suffering.
- Eustathius flees to Egypt, loses his wife to a barbarian and his sons to wild beasts, then lives as a hired laborer in Badissus for 15 years.
- Emperor Trajan's officers find Eustathius, he leads an army to victory, and on the return journey recovers his wife and both sons.
- Under Emperor Hadrian, Eustathius and his family refuse to sacrifice, are thrown to wild beasts and then into a red-hot metal ox, and die on the third day.
- Saint Michael of Chernigov and Theodore the Boyar are beheaded by the Tatars in 1244 for refusing to pass through fire and bow to idols.
- Venerable Martyr Hilarion, an Athonite monk, is beheaded by the Turks in Constantinople on September 20, 1804.
The video presents the life of Saint Eustathius, born Placidus, a Roman general under Emperor Trajan. While hunting, he sees a radiant cross between a stag's antlers and hears Christ's voice directing him to be baptized. He, his wife Theopistia, and sons Agapius and Theopistus receive baptism; he takes the name Eustathius and hears a voice foretelling suffering.
He flees to Egypt, loses his wife to a barbarian and his sons to wild beasts, then works as a hired laborer in Badissus for fifteen years. Trajan's officers find him, he leads an army to victory, and on the return journey recovers his wife and both sons. Under Emperor Hadrian, the family refuses to sacrifice to idols.
They are thrown to wild beasts and then into a red-hot bronze ox, dying on the third day. The video also recounts Saint Michael of Chernigov and Theodore the Boyar, beheaded by Tatars in 1244 for refusing to pass through fire and bow to idols, and Venerable Martyr Hilarion, an Athonite monk beheaded by Turks in Constantinople on September 20, 1804.
A reflection contrasts the martyrs' endurance with suicide, called a mortal sin with no repentance. A contemplation on King Jehoshaphat and a homily on John 14:6 follow, affirming Christ as the only way, truth, and life.
Main points
- Saint Eustathius converts after seeing a cross between a stag's antlers and hearing Christ's voice.
- He endures fifteen years of separation from his family before being restored to command and reunited.
- Under Hadrian, Eustathius, his wife Theopistia, and sons Agapius and Theopistus are martyred in a heated bronze ox.
- Saint Michael of Chernigov and Theodore the Boyar are beheaded by Tatars in 1244 for refusing idolatry.
- Venerable Martyr Hilarion, an Athonite monk, is beheaded by Turks in 1804.