The story of the Holy Great Martyr Eustathios is one of the most fascinating in the Orthodox Synaxarion. Before his baptism, Eustathios was an illustrious Roman general named Placidas during the reign of the Emperor Trajan. His wife was named Tatiana and they had two sons. While hunting in the country one day for sport, he was converted to the One True Faith when he saw a majestic stag, between whose antlers he saw the Cross of Christ and through which the Lord spoke to him with a human voice. Upon returning home, he learned that his wife Tatiana had also had a vision in which she was instructed to become a Christian. Seeking out a Christian bishop, Placidas and Tatiana were baptized, taking on the names Eustathios and Theopiste, respectively, and their two sons were baptized Agapios and Theopistos. But this was not the end of their story, indeed their tribulation was about to begin. Much like Job of the Old Testament, this esteemed Roman family lost everything: their servants died, their possessions were stolen, and on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem all four were separated and scattered across the Empire, not knowing the fate of the others. But through faith in Christ, and by His providence, all four were reunited after many years in Rome. However, in Rome the Emperor Hadrian, successor to Trajan, commanded a public sacrifice to the pagan gods. Eustathios, a general, could not legally refuse - Eustathios, Tatiana, Agapios and Theopistus were ordered to be put to death. They were thrown in the brazen bull, which was heated with fire until they died. When their holy bodies were removed, they were found without harm, thus completing their contest for martyrdom in the year 126 AD. Saint Eustathios is commemorated by the Church on September 20. *** This icon is made of solid, natural Limewood that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece. All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere. Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here. *** This icon of Saint Eustathios is reproduced, with permission, from the authentic icon painted by the monks in the Cell of St. John the Theologian Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou in Mount Athos, Greece. This icon is part of our collection Icons from Mount Athos which features all icons from the Cell of St. John the Theologian.
