Holy Martyrs Eustratios, Auxentios, Eugenios, Mardarios and Orestes

Life

These five brave men shone like five brilliant stars in the dark time of the Christ-fighting emperors Diocletian and Maximian. Saint Eustratios was a Roman general in the city of Satala, Eugenios was his companion in the army, Orestes was also a distinguished soldier, Auxentios a priest, and Mardarios a simple citizen and fellow countryman of Eustratios, both being from the city of Aravraca. The imperial governors Lysias and Agricola tortured first Auxentios as a priest. Seeing the innocent suffering of Christians, Eustratios himself came forward to Lysias and declared that he was a Christian. During the torture of Eustratios, Eugenios stepped before the judge and cried out: Lysias, I too am a Christian! And when Eustratios was being led with the other martyrs through the city of Aravraca, Mardarios saw them from the roof of his house, bade farewell to his wife and two small children, and rushed after them, crying out to the torturers' faces: I too am a Christian like my lord Eustratios! And from the bosom of Saint Orestes a cross fell out when he was shooting at a target before Lysias, by which Lysias recognized that he was a Christian, which Orestes himself openly confessed. Orestes was a young and handsome soldier, and in stature surpassed all the other soldiers. Auxentios was beheaded, Eugenios and Mardarios died in torments, Orestes expired on red-hot iron, and Eustratios in a fiery furnace. Before his death, Saint Blaise communed Saint Eustratios in prison (see February 11). Their relics were later transferred to Constantinople and buried in the church of their name—of the Holy Five Martyrs. In that church they were seen alive, and Saint Orestes also appeared to Saint Demetrius of Rostov (see October 28). From Saint Eustratios there remains a beautiful prayer which is read at the Saturday midnight office: Magnifying I will magnify Thee, O Lord.

From the Hymn of Praise

The Five Martyrs, Christ's warriors,Fearless heroes, honorable martyrs,Mockeries and tortures, fire and gallows,All this for you was like child's play.