Eubotius of Cyzicus

The Holy Martyr Eubotius of Cyzicus (also called Eubiotos) lived in the late third and early fourth century and is commemorated on 18 December. Because he led a virtuous life among the pagan Greeks, he suffered cruelly before he reposed in the Lord.

In the time of Emperor Maximian, Eubotius came from a village called Ptoketon, in the province called "of Opsikios," where he was born, grew up and died. Because he lived in a way pleasing to God and excelled in every kind of virtue, he suffered much from the Greeks and was beaten wherever he went. He worked many miracles, through which many unbelievers turned to Christ. Once, after he had been beaten with sticks and stones, he was thrown into the fire, but the grace of Christ kept him unharmed. Many onlookers marveled, believed and were baptized in the church there, which had been founded by the apostles Paul and Silas.

When Leontius, governor of Cyzicus, learned of this, he sent men to bind him and ordered him struck with stones on the mouth and cheeks, then hung from a tree and torn with whips, then thrown to the lions, which did not touch him; he was shut in prison. Many Greeks saw this, hastened to faith in Christ and were baptized. The governor ordered gladiators to kill him, but darkness fell on them and they killed one another. Twenty-⁠two days later came the news that Constantine was advancing east to fight the tyrant Maximian, and Maximian, frightened, ordered the Christians freed from prison. Eubotius was then released from his chains, returned to his cell, lived five more years and, after many more miracles, gave up his spirit in peace in the year 318. The Church remembers him as a martyr, though he was not killed.