Eugene of Sebaste

Holy Martyr Eugene of Sebaste suffered for Christ in the time of the Emperor Diocletian (284-305), at Sebaste in Armenia, together with Eustratius, Auxentius, Mardarius and Orestes.

Among the first Christians to receive torments then was the priest of the Church of Arabia, the martyr Auxentius, shut in prison. Seeing the unshakenness of the Christians, the governor of the city Satalion, the noble commander Eustratius, a secret Christian, resolved to confess his faith openly and was subjected to tortures: they beat him, put iron boots on his feet and burned him with fire.

After these cruel tortures he was burned, and Auxentius was beheaded. Seeing their martyrdom, Mardarius, a man of the people, also confessed his faith and was hung head downward; before death he said the prayer O Lord and Master, Father Almighty..., which is read at the end of the third hour and at the midnight office. The martyr Eugene had his tongue torn out, his hands and feet cut off and his head cut off with a sword.

The young soldier Orestes confessed himself a Christian and was brought to trial; he was condemned to be burned on a red-⁠hot iron bed, onto which he climbed strengthened by the prayer of Saint Eustratius. The prayer before death of Eustratius, I magnify Thee, I magnify Thee, O Lord..., is read at the Saturday midnight office. The martyr Eustratius died on 13 December.

The Synaxarion commemorates them all on 26 December (new style), that is 13 December in the old calendar.