September 20: Feast of the Great Martyr Efstathiostranslated

Today, September 20, our Holy Church, while the feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross continues, honors the memory of the Great Martyr Efstathios, the wife of Theopistus and their two sons, Agapius and Theopistus, as well as Saint Meletius, bishop of Cyprus.

Lambros Skontzos, Theologian, writes

The holy great martyr Eustathius A category of saints of our Church is that of the military. In fact, this sanctified order produced many Martyrs in the early Christian years. One of them is the holy Great Martyr Efstathios.

He lived in the years of Trajan (98-117) and Hadrian (117-138). He was a military man and served as a senior officer in the Roman army. His name was Placidas and he was a pagan. Despite all this, he was a just man and moderate in his desires. He had a kind soul and showed compassion towards the needy. His wife's name was Tatiani and they had two sons. He was highly regarded by the army and society.

An inexplicable miracle caused him to convert to Christianity and leave superstitious idolatry forever. He had gone hunting in the forest with his company of soldiers. Of…