Eusebon the Maccabee

Holy Martyr Eusebon the Maccabee was one of the seven Maccabee brothers, who suffered together with their mother, the Holy Martyr Solomonia (Salome), and their teacher, the Holy Martyr Eleazar. The brothers were named Abim, Antoninus, Gurias, Eleazar, Eusebon, Alim and Marcellus.

In 166 before Christ there lived in Judea Eleazar, a priest and teacher of the Law, advanced in years, of dignified appearance, famed for his wisdom and piety. Brought before the tyrant, he was forced to eat pork, which God had strictly forbidden in the Old Testament. Eleazar chose rather to die a glorious martyr's death for the law of God than to keep a dishonourable life obtained by breaking it, and he endured great torments.

The seven Maccabee brothers, disciples of Eleazar, were also seized, together with their mother Solomonia. They were brought before the lawless king and likewise forced to eat forbidden food. One of them, answering for all, said that they would rather die than transgress the laws. The king ordered his tongue cut out, his skin stripped off and his hands and feet cut off before the other brothers and their mother, and the youth, still alive, was thrown onto an enormous heated pan. One after another the other brothers received the same torment, strengthened by the hope of resurrection. When the turn of the youngest came, their mother told him to look at heaven and earth, to know that God made all things from nothing, and not to fear the killer, but to be worthy of his brothers and accept death, so that by God's mercy she might receive him back with them. After her sons the mother also died, giving thanks to God that she and her children had given their souls for the law of the Lord Almighty.

Eusebon is commemorated on 14 August (new style), with his brothers, their mother and Eleazar. Their story was also written down by Saint Demetrius of Rostov.