Elpidius the Cappadocian

Saint Elpidius the Cappadocian was an abbot and saint of Asia Minor, in the fourth century. According to tradition, he lived twenty-⁠five years in a cave in Cappadocia. Around him lived the ascetic life Eustace (Eustachio) and Ennesius (Ennesio). His commemoration is on 2 September, according to the Russian and English sources. He is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church.

The village of Cluana, in the Marche, acquired the saint's relics in the seventh century, in exchange for some land. The relics of Elpidius and his companions, Eustace and Ennesius, were entrusted to the local inhabitants, and the town later took the name Sant'Elpidio a Mare. The relics of Elpidius are considered to have saved the town from a siege by the Lombards: according to tradition, the saint appeared in the sky and urged the inhabitants to defend the village.

The Serbian source speaks of other holy martyrs named Elpidius, Marcellus and Eustochius, from Asia Minor, in the fourth century, commemorated by the Orthodox Church on 15 (28) November. Elpidius was a senator in the time of the emperor Julian the Apostate. As a Christian he was brought to trial before Julian. Because he refused to renounce Christianity, he was condemned to torments. With him the Christians Eustochius and Marcellus were tormented. All three were tied to wild horses and bulls, to be torn apart. According to the Life, the animals inexplicably ceased to move. After that they were beaten again and thrown into a fire, in which they died. The bodies of these holy martyrs were buried on Mount Carmel. After that about six thousand pagans turned to Christianity. The two traditions seem mixed in the sources: it is not clear whether the same Elpidius is meant.