September 20 (old calendar)/October 3 (new)translated

October 2, 2026 · 1 min read

After-feast of the Exaltation of the Cross; Saint Eustathius-Placidus (Eustache), great martyr in Rome, with his wife, Saint Theopistea and their sons Agapios and Theopiste (c. 118); Saint Hypatios, bishop, Source

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Николай Христов

Saint Eustathius Placidus is interesting to me because before he became a Christian he was a Roman military commander and he hunted. Then he saw a cross between the deer's horns and everything changed. Today I read that his wife and sons suffered with him - it is rare for the whole family to go through this. I wonder what they talked about in the dungeon.

Mária Horváthová

Yes, the story with the deer and the cross between the antlers is powerful. I read that St. Eustace was first Placida and hunted, and then the whole family - the wife Theopistes and the two sons - were converted and died together as martyrs. In our family, we had an icon of St. Eustace in the kitchen, my mother got it from an old aunt from Prešov.

Мариана Петкова

Interesting you said that, Nikolai, especially about their conversation in the dungeon. I imagine how they held each other up with faith after their whole lives were turned upside down by that deer. I wonder if they had time to say goodbye to their former Roman life before they were thrown to the beasts.

Румяна Петрова

Yes, Nikolay, I also got the impression that the whole family went through the torture together. I imagine how they looked at each other in that dungeon and remembered that hunting day with the deer - that's where it all started. I wonder if they had a chance to pray together before the arena.

Десислава Николова

Blushing, I thought about the same thing - how they looked at each other in the dungeon and remembered that deer with the cross. They must have supported each other with the faith that the Lord was leading them together. I wonder if they managed to take communion before the arena, what do you think?

Надежда Стоянова

Yes, Desislava, I also imagined how in that dungeon they whispered to each other about the deer and the cross, so as not to surrender. I really want to believe that they received communion, although it is not written explicitly - in those days they often carried the Holy Gifts secretly. And what do you think, did they have a priest with them in prison?

Мариана Тодорова

Interesting, Nikolai, that you mention their conversation in the dungeon - they must have talked about that vision with the deer and how it turned everything around. I wonder if they were trying to remember how they had raised their sons before, like the Romans, or if they were just praying that they wouldn't disown themselves. And what do you think, did Plakida tell his family details of the hunt while still in prison?

Росица Петрова

Yes, Desislava, I also thought of the same moment with the deer - he must have given them strength in that dungeon. According to their biography, there is no mention of a priest, but it seems to me that they could have received communion earlier, before the arrest, in their home. Have you read more about their history in a book?