Orestes of Sebaste

Holy Martyr Orestes of Sebaste was a young soldier who confessed Christ and died on a bed of iron heated in the fire, in the time of the emperor Diocletian (284-305), at Sebaste in Armenia.

With him suffered the Holy Martyrs Eustratius, Auxentius, Eugenius and Mardarius. Among the first Christians who endured torments then was the presbyter Auxentius, shut in prison. Seeing the constancy of the Christians, the head of the city of Satalion, the noble commander Eustratius, a secret Christian, resolved to confess his faith openly; for this he was beaten, had iron boots put on his feet and was burned with fire. After these torments they burned him, and Auxentius they beheaded. Seeing their martyr's death, Mardarius, a man of the common people, confessed his faith too and was hung head downward; before death he said a prayer: "O Master, Lord God, Father Almighty...", which is read at the end of the third hour and at the midnight office. The martyr Eugenius had his tongue torn out, his hands and feet cut off and his head struck off with the sword. The young soldier Orestes confessed himself a Christian and was brought to trial. He was condemned to be burned on a bed of red-⁠hot iron, on which he climbed strengthened by the prayer of Saint Eustratius. The prayer of Eustratius before death ("Magnifying, I magnify Thee, O Lord...") is read at the Saturday midnight office. The martyr Eustratius died on 13 December.

Their memory is kept on 26 December, in the new style. Their sufferings were written down by Saint Demetrius of Rostov.