Saint Eustathius Plakidas: Roman Commander Who Became a Martyr

The post recounts the life of Saint Eustathius, born Plakidas, a Roman commander during the reigns of Emperors Titus and Trajan. Although pagan, he was just and merciful, compared to Cornelius the Centurion. While hunting, he saw a radiant Cross between the horns of a deer and heard the voice of the Lord calling him to seek a Christian priest for baptism.

Plakidas, his wife, and their two sons were baptized, taking the names Eustathius, Theopiste, Agapius, and Theopistus. Eustathius returned to the vision site to give thanks, and the Lord revealed he would suffer greatly for His name but also strengthened him. Soon he lost his wife and sons and lived for fifteen years as a hired worker in an Egyptian village.

By divine providence he was discovered, returned to the Roman army, and led it to victory. On the journey back to Rome he was reunited with his wife and both sons. Emperor Hadrian demanded he sacrifice to idols; Eustathius confessed he was a Christian.

He, his wife, and their sons were tortured, but wild beasts would not harm them. Finally they were placed inside a heated metal bull and gave up their souls. When their bodies were removed, they were dead but unharmed.

The post ends by stating that Saint Eustathius shows God does not abandon those who belong to Him through loss, exile, and suffering, and that he rendered to Caesar what was Caesar's and to God what was God's. The text includes hashtags for Saint Eustathius, Orthodox saints, great martyr, Orthodox faith, and Christian martyrs.