Byzantine Saints: Greatmartyr Eustáthios Placidas, with his wife & Children, of Rome (20 September)

About this sermon

The Great Martyr St. Eustathios Placidas, his wife St. Theopiste, and their sons Agapios and Theopistos are commemorated on September 20. Before his conversion, Eustathios was a celebrated Roman general named Placidas. While hunting, he encountered a magnificent stag with a radiant Cross between its antlers and heard the voice of Jesus Christ calling him to the true Faith. Placidas and his entire family received Holy Baptism—but their conversion was followed by trials resembling those of Job. After losing his wealth, servants, wife, and children, St. Eustathios endured years of poverty without abandoning God. Through Divine Providence, his family was miraculously reunited, and he was restored to his military rank. Yet after winning a great victory for Rome, Eustathios refused Emperor Hadrian’s command to sacrifice to the pagan gods. The steadfast family confessed Christ and received the crown of martyrdom together. Their remarkable story teaches us to trust God during suffering, remain faithful during temptation, and place eternal life above worldly honor. 0:00 Great Martyr Eustathios and His Family 0:25 Placidas, the charitable Roman general 0:47 The miraculous stag and radiant Cross 1:08 Jesus Christ speaks to Placidas 1:34 Placidas professes his faith 1:48 His wife’s prophetic dream 2:09 The family receives Holy Baptism 2:32 Trials like those of Job 2:55 His wife and children are taken 3:28 Eustathios trusts Divine Providence 4:15 Rome searches for its missing general 4:39 His former soldiers recognize him 5:20 The sons unknowingly serve their father 5:43 The brothers discover each other 6:01 Their mother recognizes her family 6:26 The family is miraculously reunited 6:41 Hadrian demands a pagan sacrifice 7:11 “I am a Christian” 7:27 Condemned for confessing Christ 7:35 The wild beasts refuse to attack 7:44 Martyrdom in the brass bull 8:09 Their bodies are found unharmed May St. Eustathios and his holy family intercede for all families enduring separation, poverty, persecution, or severe trials. https://www.oca.org/saints/lives #SaintEustathios #OrthodoxSaints #ChristianMartyrs #LivesOfTheSaints #FaithAndEndurance #OrthodoxFeastDays #EarlyChristianMartyrs #GreatMartyrEustathios #OrthodoxChristianity #SaintStories #Martyrdom #HolyMartyrs #VisionOfTheStag #SaintEustathius 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Topics

• Marriage
• Parenting