Eustochius of Sadon

Holy Hieromartyr Eustochius of Sadon, a priest, is commemorated with the Holy Martyrs Gaius, Probus, Lollius and Urban. They suffered for Christ in the persecution in the time of the Emperor Maximian (286 to 310).

Eustochius had been a pagan priest, but, seeing the unconquerable steadfastness of the Christian martyrs and the miracles they worked, he turned to Christ. He went to Eudoxius, bishop of Antioch, received Holy Baptism from him and was ordained priest. In the city of Lystra he brought his nephew Gaius and all his household to the way of salvation, among them the boys Probus, Lollius and Urban. The emperor's soldiers seized Eustochius and brought him to trial. The tortures did not shake his faith, and so he was sent to the Galatian city of Ancyra, to the governor Agrippinus. With him were sent also the newly baptized Gaius and his family. All of them, not excepting women and infants, were subjected to cruel tortures, but the martyrs did not renounce Christ and were beheaded.

They are commemorated on 6 July (new style).