Saint Eustathius and family commemorated by the Orthodox Church

The Orthodox Church commemorates the feast day of Saint Eustathius the Great Martyr, his wife Theopista, and their two sons, Agapius and Theopistus. According to hagiographic tradition, Eustathius was originally a Roman general named Placidus who served under Emperor Trajan.

His conversion to Christianity occurred following a vision during a hunt, where he witnessed a glowing cross between the antlers of a deer and heard a divine voice. Following his baptism, the family faced severe trials, including the loss of wealth, exile, and temporary separation. Despite these hardships, the family eventually reunited.

Under the reign of Emperor Hadrian, Eustathius refused to offer sacrifices to pagan idols, leading to the martyrdom of the entire family. He is traditionally venerated as a patron of hunters and foresters.