Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Saint and martyr. Eustachius, originally named Placidus, was a Roman army officer under Emperor Trajan. When he saw the crucified Christ between the horns of a deer he was hunting, he took it as a sign from God that he was to convert to Christianity. He did and then lost everything he had - material possessions, position in the army, and his wife and children. When barbarians began ravaging the empire, Trajan recalled him to lead the army against them. Victorious, he returned to Rome with riches - and his wife and children whom he had found. Trajan ordered him to sacrifice to, and thus worship, the Roman gods which he refused to do. For that, Trajan had him and his family martyred. First, they were fed to two starving lions but the lions refused to attack them. Then, they were shut into a metal bull statue and a fire was lit beneath it which did kill them.
Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Saint and martyr. Eustachius, originally named Placidus, was a Roman army officer under Emperor Trajan. When he saw the crucified Christ between the horns of a deer he was hunting, he took it as a sign from God that he was to convert to Christianity. He did and then lost everything he had - material possessions, position in the army, and his wife and children. When barbarians began ravaging the empire, Trajan recalled him to lead the army against them. Victorious, he returned to Rome with riches - and his wife and children whom he had found. Trajan ordered him to sacrifice to, and thus worship, the Roman gods which he refused to do. For that, Trajan had him and his family martyred. First, they were fed to two starving lions but the lions refused to attack them. Then, they were shut into a metal bull statue and a fire was lit beneath it which did kill them.
Bio by: Amy Dalton
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