Saint Eusignius feast day observed by Orthodox believers

The Serbian Orthodox Church and its believers are observing the feast day of Saint Eusignius, a holy priest-martyr. Born in Antioch, Eusignius served in the military for 60 years under various emperors, including Constantine the Great and his sons.

After retiring from military service to live a life of prayer and good works in Antioch, Eusignius was later called to judgment by Emperor Julian the Apostate. After acting as a judge in a local dispute, he was accused of being a Christian. Eusignius reportedly rebuked the Emperor for his apostasy from the faith, leading to his execution by decapitation at an advanced age.

The religious observance includes a sermon emphasizing the necessity of repentance and divine grace for the purification of the soul, comparing spiritual cleansing to cloth being whitened by sunlight.