Nikita the Saint is one of the most beloved and revered saints of God in Russia. During his lifetime, he became famous as a healer of various ailments, including spiritual ones. Through his holy prayers, people tormented by illness received sudden healing from the Lord. However, even after his death, the saint does not cease to intercede for people who come running to him with sincere requests. Through the fervent prayers of the Great Martyr Nikita, the Lord grants recovery from serious illnesses, and also helps to resolve many everyday troubles.
Prayers to the Holy Great Martyr Nikita
They pray to Saint Nikita for healing from all ailments and the granting of health, as well as for protection from all evil eye and witchcraft. They pray for themselves, for their children and other loved ones.
First prayer
To you, as the speedy and chosen intercessor of our salvation, the chosen commander of God, who conquered the enemies with the weapon of the cross, Great Martyr Nikito, we wholeheartedly resort to you:
Do not turn away from our poverty, heed our prayer, and save us and this city from troubles.
Stretch out your hand, giving quick help, guide our minds from harmful distractions, and cleanse, sanctify and strengthen our defiled hearts.
Save us from enemies, visible and invisible, so that we may emerge victorious over passions, creating holiness in the passion of the Lord, and overcome all despondency and begin to rejoice in the Lord;
and through your intercessions, in humility and simplicity of heart, we will be vouchsafed until our last breath to gloriously glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and glorify your divinely crowned deeds and miracles forever and ever.
Second prayer
Oh, great passion-bearer of Christ and wonder-working Great Martyr Nikito!
Falling before your holy and miraculous image, while your deeds and miracles and your many sufferings glorify people, we diligently pray to you:
Reveal to us humble and sinners your holy and powerful intercession:
behold, it is a sin for our sake, not the imams of freedom of the children of God, who boldly ask our Lord and Master for our needs, but we offer you a prayer book favorable to Him and we cry out for your intercession:
ask us from the Lord for beneficial gifts for our souls and bodies:
right faith, undoubted hope of salvation, unfeigned love for everyone, courage in temptation, patience in suffering, constancy in prayer, health of soul and body, fruitfulness of the earth,
air prosperity, contentment of everyday needs, peaceful and pious life on earth, Christian death and a good answer at the terrible judgment of Christ.
Also, O passion-bearer of Christ, from the Heavenly King ask all Orthodox Christians for peace, health and salvation, victory and victory against enemies, and prosperity, peace and prosperity for the whole God-protected country.
Be a companion and helper to the Christ-loving army against their enemies, and show your holy intercession to all Orthodox people: heal the sick, comfort the sorrowing, help the needy;
Hey, servant of God and long-suffering martyr!
Do not forget your holy monastery and all the nuns and worldly people living in it and striving, but hasten to bear the yoke of Christ in humility and patience and graciously deliver them from all troubles and temptations.
Bring us all into the quiet haven of salvation and make us heirs worthy to become the blessed Kingdom of Christ through your holy prayers,
Let us glorify and sing the great generosity of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, in the Trinity glorified and worshiped God, and your holy intercession forever and ever.
Prayer three
Oh, great luminary, illuminating the ends of the whole world, more passion-bearing than Christ, Nikita!
Today, movingly approaching your icon more honestly and falling and kissing this, we earnestly pray to you:
ask us from Christ our God for forgiveness of sins, correction of life, and all that is good for temporary and eternal life.
O most honorable and glorious passion-bearer of Christ!
Do not despise our prayer and do not leave us running to you, but look mercifully on us and on our earthly vale;
remember us who wander and come, and with the power given to you by God, guide us to the Heavenly Fatherland;
strengthen our weakness, protect us from falling into sin, kindle in us holy love for the Lord, and grant us zeal for our salvation;
plant Divine fear in our hearts, and direct our steps to doing the commandments of Christ.
Through your intercession, ask our All-Merciful God for the peace of His Church, for people to be united in the faith, for the destruction of fools and schisms, and for affirmation in good deeds, healing for the sick, consolation for the sad, intercession for the offended, help for the needy.
Most of all, through your prayer, make us all live chastely, righteously and piously in this present world, and always remember the hour of death and the terrible second coming of our Lord and God Jesus Christ,
may we be preserved and saved by His grace and love for mankind, may we be delivered from bitter ordeals from demons, princes of the air, and eternal torment, and may we be worthy to bow to the Throne of God in the Kingdom of Heaven,
gratefully and joyfully glorifying the Most Holy and Divine Trinity, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, forever and ever.
Prayer four
Oh, Great Martyr of Christ, Nikito!
You were brave in battle, and a chaser of the enemy, and a defender of the offended, and a representative of all Orthodox Christians.
Have mercy on me, a sinner and unworthy, and intercede in troubles, and in sorrows, and in sorrows, and in every evil misfortune, and protect me from every evil and offending person:
For you have been given such grace from God to pray for us sinners, those who suffer in troubles and misfortunes.
Deliver us from those who offend and hate us, and always be a strong champion for us against all our visible and invisible enemies.
Oh, our great champion Nikito!
Do not forget us who always pray to you and ask you for help and endless mercy, and grant us, sinners and unworthy, the ineffable goodness from God to receive, which is prepared for those who love Him.
For to him is due all glory, honor and worship, to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Fifth prayer
O great passion-bearer of Christ Nikito!
Hear the prayer of us sinners, and deliver us (names) from all sorrow and adversity, from sudden death and from all evil:
at the hour of separation of the soul from the body, drive away, passion-bearingly, every evil thought and evil demons,
for may our souls receive in peace into a place of light Christ our Lord our God, for from Him is the cleansing of sins, and He is the salvation of our souls, to Him belongs all glory, honor and worship, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. .
The story of Saint Nikita
One of the first Christians, the Great Martyr Nikita, according to legend, was born into the family of the pagan Tsar Maximian, who was particularly cruel in dealing with the first Christian communities. Nikita more than once turned to his father with a request to convert to Christianity, but he, in a rage, tried to kill his son, and when this failed, he imprisoned him. In prison, a demon appeared to the future great martyr, albeit in the guise of an angel, and began to persuade the young man to renounce his chosen faith. Nikita began to pray to the Lord, and soon the Archangel Michael appeared to him, commanding him to test the devil. The young man grabbed the false guest, and, stepping on his neck, beat him with his own shackles.
The future great martyr spent three years in prison, and when the king called his son to repentance, the young man brought with him a defeated demon, proving to his father that it was the evil forces that controlled his heart. The king was inexorable and ordered his son to be executed, but God did not allow this. To prove the righteousness of the Christian faith and convert his father to Christianity, Nikita resurrected two people, and a little later, according to legend, baptized more than 18,000 people.
Return of Afanarich
But soon Nikita’s country was to suffer another terrible test. The once exiled Athanarikh returned to its borders. Wanting to receive retribution for the humiliations he had suffered, the wicked again raised an army against the Christians. Many zealots of the Christian faith were killed by him in cruel torture. But most of all Afanarich longed for the death of the Great Martyr Nikita. The latter never hid from cruel reprisals, but always openly preached the teachings of the Savior. Being thrown into prison, even there he strengthened the Christians who were preparing to accept torture for Christ with the word of faith.
How do prayers to the Great Martyr Nikita help?
Many believers, offering a prayer to Saint Nikita for children, turn to him as a protector from demons and from seducing children’s souls. On the icons of the Great Martyr Nikita is depicted with shackles, with which he beats the Devil.
Prayer to Saint Nikita helps against damage, with various family troubles and with some illnesses, such as “relative”. The words of prayer will protect you from black magic, free you from slavery, and help you in your studies. Icons depicting the Saint beating the devil are customary to give to Nikitas on their name day, so that they will never be tempted by the Devil in their lives.
It is necessary to read a prayer to Saint Nikita before going to bed, turning to the image on the icon, sincerely asking for his protection.
Nikita Gotfsky, Constantinople
The Holy Great Martyr Nikita was a Goth. He was born and lived on the banks of the Danube. He suffered for Christ in 372. At that time, the Christian faith had already spread widely in the country of the Goths. Saint Nikita believed in Christ and received Baptism from the Gothic Bishop Theophilus, a participant in the First Ecumenical Council. The pagan Goths began to oppose the spread of Christianity, which resulted in internecine warfare.
After the victory of Fritigern, who led the army of Christians and defeated the pagan Athanaric, the faith of Christ began to spread more successfully among the Goths. Bishop Ulfilas, successor to Bishop Theophilus, created the Gothic alphabet and translated many sacred books into Gothic.
Prayers to Saint Nikita Besogon
First prayer
O great passion-bearer of Christ and wonder-working Great Martyr Nikito! Falling before your holy and miraculous image, while your deeds and miracles and your many compassion for people are glorifying, we pray to you diligently: show us the humble and sinners your holy and powerful intercession, for it is a sin for our sake, not the imams of the freedom of the children of God, for our needs We boldly ask our Lord and our Master, but we offer you a favorable prayer book for him and we cry for your intercession, ask us from the Lord for beneficial gifts for our souls and bodies, right faith, undoubted hope of salvation, unfeigned love for everyone, courage in temptation, their patience in suffering, constancy in prayer, health of soul and body, fruitfulness of the earth, prosperity of the air, contentment of everyday needs, peaceful and pious life on earth, Christian death and a good answer at the terrible judgment of Christ. Also, O passion-bearer of Christ, from the Heavenly King ask our Russian country for peace, health and salvation, and against our enemies victory and victory, prosperity, silence and prosperity. Be a companion and helper against the enemies of the Christ-loving army, and show your holy intercession to all Orthodox people: heal the sick, comfort the sorrowing, help the needy. Hey, servant of God and long-suffering martyr! Do not forget your holy monastery and all the nuns and worldly people living in it and striving, but hasten to bear the yoke of Christ in humility and patience and graciously deliver them from all troubles and temptations. Bring us all into a quiet haven of salvation and make us worthy to be heirs of the blessed Kingdom of Christ through your holy prayers, so that we glorify and sing the great generosity of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, in the Trinity we glorify and worship God, and your holy intercession forever and ever. Amen.
Second prayer
O great passion-bearer of Christ Nikito! Hear the prayer of us sinners, and deliver us (names) from all sorrow and adversity, from sudden death and from all evil: at the hour of separation of the soul from the body, passion-bearing, every evil thought and evil demons, so that our souls may be received in peace to the place of light, Christ the Lord our God, for from Him is the cleansing of sins, and He is the salvation of our souls, to Him belongs all glory, honor and worship, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Personal petition
O great passion-bearer of Christ and miracle worker, Great Martyr Nikita! Hear us praying to you with tears (names), and beg Christ God to have mercy on us and grant us (the content of the petition), and let us glorify and sing the great generosity of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and your holy intercession, forever and ever. Amen.
Death of a Saint
The most terrible tortures were prepared for the preacher of Christ from Athanaric. The king's servants laid the saint on a wooden bed and lit a fire on it. But the saint of God, getting up from his place, blew on the flame, and the fire immediately went out. Green grass sprouted in its place. Seeing that the tortures he had invented were not bringing the desired result, Athanaric ordered the saint’s flesh to be tortured. Trying to persuade the pious husband to the pagan faith, the wicked man ordered him to be starved. The Great Martyr Nikita spent three years in heavy chains, until one day the king remembered him again and ordered him to be brought to him.
Athanaric gave the order to throw the preacher of Christ into the fire. The saint died a martyr's death. But his body was not touched by the flames. Opponents of Christianity, having once again witnessed God’s miracle with their own eyes, decided to leave the remains of the saint without burial. His body was dishonorably thrown on the ground far from the people.
Brief historical information
It is known from sources that Evstateos was one of the first bishops of Syunik, the oldest region of Armenia, his ordination was performed by the apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew.
At the end of the first and beginning of the second century AD, the military leader Placidas faithfully served Emperor Titus and then Trajan. Living among idolaters, he was distinguished by kindness and mercy, helping the poor and needy.
Appearance of Christ
With good deeds and mercy, the military leader attracted the attention of the Savior; Christ personally appeared before Placida. Being a passionate hunter, the future saint chased a beautiful deer, almost caught up with it on a high mountain, when suddenly a light appeared in the antlers of the majestic animal.
In shining rays, a cross with the crucified Son of God appeared before the hunter. Like the Apostle Paul (Acts 9:4), Placidas heard the same voice: “Why are you persecuting Me?”
When asked who was speaking, the military leader heard that in front of him was Jesus Christ Himself, who died for the sake of the eternal life of people and endured voluntary suffering. Christ emphasized that, not knowing the Savior, Placidas does good deeds, and therefore the Lord chose the stratelate for salvation in eternity.
The military leader instantly accepted Christ as his Savior and asked Him to teach him what to do next. God's voice told me to go to the priest and receive Baptism. In great joy, Placidas returned to his home, where he was met by his wife Tatiana, who was waiting for her husband to tell her dream.
Important! In the dream, a voice told the woman that the next day her entire family, including her husband and children, would accept Christianity, knowing a loving God. After Placidas' story about meeting Jesus, the family visited a Christian presbyter, received baptism and communion.
After baptism, Placis began to be called Eustathius, his wife Theopistia, and his children Agapius and Theopist. Returning to the holy mountain, the newly converted Eustathius praised the Creator with fervent prayers and thanked the Savior for his salvation. Stratilates was again given the grace to hear the Divine voice, which warned the military leader about impending trials and sorrows.
All this will be allowed by the Creator in order to ultimately accept the Great Martyr and his family into the Kingdom of Heaven and place on him the Crown of Salvation. Eustathius humbly accepted the message from Heaven, asking for one thing, that God’s help be with the martyrs.
Trials and Faith
Christian life of St. Eustathia began with a pestilence of livestock, servants and complete impoverishment. In humility and poverty, the family, which had never known hardship, left the house and boarded a ship bound for Egypt. The beauty of the military leader's wife struck the captain of the ship; he forcibly landed the saint and his two sons on the nearest shore, leaving the woman with him.
Before he could recover from the shock, the traveler experienced new grief. A stormy river became an obstacle on the path of the father and young sons. While the saint was carrying one son to the other side, the younger one was dragged away by a wolf.
Upon his return, Eustathius discovered that the eldest had also disappeared, having been carried away by a lion. Only remembering the words of Christ, Placida found strength in himself and moved on. He clearly knew that God was with him, these trials were sent to test faith, humility and patience.
Stratilates believed that the Lord was next to him, and everything that had been taken would be returned. Only faith gave him the strength to live on. For 15 long years, not knowing that trouble had passed over his loved ones, the saint worked as a worker in the village of Vadiss.
By the grace of the Lord, his sons were saved by shepherds and farmers. The shipman was struck by a fatal disease even before he wanted to touch the beautiful woman.
Return to Rome and family reunification
Emperor Trajan suffered defeat after defeat during one of the wars, he remembered the experienced military leader and ordered to find him.
The friends of the stratilate, Antiochus and Acacius, traveled through many places until they came to Vadis. The great martyr guarding the bread in the field immediately recognized his friends, but they did not recognize him when they met. The soldiers explained to the guard the purpose of their visit and went with him to the owner’s house, where they were fed. Noticing a scar on the worker’s neck, they immediately remembered that their commander received this mark in battle, and recognized him.
Returning to Rome, Placidas stood at the head of the army, training new recruits, not even suspecting that his sons were among them. The young warrior friends were distinguished by their dexterity and courage, not knowing that their own father was placed in charge of them, and they were siblings.
Theopistia did not doubt for a moment the future meeting with her relatives, she did not know that the children were kidnapped by animals, that her husband had become a simple worker, she simply believed in the Lord. Living in a foreign country, she accidentally witnessed a meeting of warrior friends.
By chance, the friends were talking in a tent, telling each other about their lives; comparing what was told, they realized that the Lord had granted a meeting to their siblings.
Their conversation was heard by their mother, she was embarrassed to appear in front of the rich warriors in her rags, and went to the military leader to ask him to take her on a campaign. The couple recognized each other at first sight, cried for a long time and announced the good news to the brothers.
Rome greeted the army with honors and glory after another victory. At that time, the deceased Emperor Trajan was replaced by the ardent idolater Adrian; he ordered the preparation of sacrifices to idols and the presence of all soldiers and residents of the city. At the ceremony it turned out that the hero of the occasion was absent. The emperor was indignant that the military leader did not want to thank the gods for their support, to which he heard stunning news.
Fidelity to Christ and martyrdom
The saint publicly recognized himself and his family as Christians, declaring that he gives all gratitude for the salvation of his family and victory in the war to the Living God, the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Marian's feat
At the same time, a pious man named Marian lived in the Gothic country. The latter was a close friend of the saint during his lifetime. He always admired the steadfast and fearless faith of the saint of God. But Marian especially fell in love with him when he saw how the holy great martyr Nikita courageously endured all the tortures prepared by Athanaric.
Having learned that the teacher’s body had been dishonorably thrown into the street, the pious young man immediately decided to bury him. Fearing to be seen by Afanarich, Marian decided to fulfill his desire in the dead of night. But he did not know where the tormentors left Nikita’s wounded body. Then the Lord himself sent Mariana a guide in the form of a star, which led him to the teacher.
For some time he kept the holy remains of Nikita with him. Then, returning to his homeland, to Cilicia, Marian gave them burial within the walls of his house.
Soon, numerous healings began to take place from the holy relics of the saint. Hundreds of believers came to Marian’s house every day and received gracious help through the prayers of the Great Martyr Nikita. The fame of the saint's relics spread far beyond the borders of Cilicia.
Subsequently, the remains of the great martyr were transferred to Constantinople. In the Serbian monastery of Vysoki Decani there is also a particle of the relics of the great saint of God.
Reverence
In Orthodoxy and Catholicism, many churches were erected in honor of Saint Eustathius Placidus in the Christian world, one of the first was erected in the 7th century, but gained fame in the ninth century, this is the temple in Rome.
In eastern Georgia there is the Ertatsminda Temple. This name comes from the word “estatecmind”, that is, Saint Eustathius, who to this day is the guardian angel of the Georgian king, the holy martyr Luarsab the Second.
The great commander Giorgi Saakadze also considered the military leader Placidus the patron of the Georgian army. Thanks to the intercession of the great martyr, the Georgians won the battle of 1609 against the Turks; after the victory, the grateful warriors bowed their banners before the icon of the stratelates.
Eustathius-Placidas is revered in Rus' in the form of a warrior-martyr; he is often compared to the great Constantine the Great.
The Baptist of Rus', Vladimir the Great, was named by Nestor as the new Estathius-Placida, in whose honor the grandson of Prince Vladimir, the son of Mstislav of Chernigov, was named.
The Tatev monastery complex, which has survived until the present century, was built over the saint’s grave, on the site of a church.
Sint Eustatius is an island in the Caribbean, named after the great martyr Evstatheos.
How does the Great Martyr Eustathius Placidas help?
According to unverified information, part of the holy relics of Eustathius is kept in the Ascension Monastery, which is located in the David Hermitage. Many pilgrims have long understood that staying near the shrine with prayers grants miracles of healing and making the right decision.
The hero of obedience and faith is a huge support for Christians who pray to the saint for such problems:
- strengthening faith;
- giving hope;
- protection from unbelief;
- resolution of family troubles.
Oh, glorious saint and long-suffering great martyr of Christ Eustathius! Hear us, sinners and unworthy ones, who celebrate your holy long-suffering memory. Ask us from the Lord with your many-powerful prayers for grace, even unto salvation, and forgiveness of all the sins we have committed, the prosperity of the earth, a peaceful dispensation for the world and liberation from the fierce wiles of the devil, the Christian end of our life and the peaceful passage to heaven through airy ordeals, for you have accepted This grace is from the Lord, if you pray for us, and if you desire to have mercy on us who honor your sacred memory. You can do everything. Do not despise us unworthy, Holy Great Martyr Eustathius. Ask from the Lord all that is good and useful to our souls, so that we too may be worthy to glorify and glorify His All-Holy and Magnificent Name in the worldly Kingdom of Heaven, where there is the dwelling place of all saints, forever and ever. Amen.
Prayers to the holy martyrs Eustathius Placis and Euphemia
Your martyr, Lord, Eustathius, in his suffering received an imperishable crown from You, our God; Having Thy strength, overthrow the tormentors, crush the demons of weak insolence. Save his souls with our prayers.
Kontakion to the Holy Martyr Eustathius Placidas, tone 2
Having actually imitated the Passion of Christ, and having diligently drunk this cup, you were a fellow-heir of Eustathius and a joint heir of glory, receiving Divine abandonment from God Himself from on high.
Troparion to the Holy Great Martyr Euphemia the All-Praised, tone 4
Thy Lamb, Jesus, Euthymia/ calls with a great voice: I love Thee, my Bridegroom, and, seeking Thee, I suffer and I am crucified and buried in Thy Baptism, and I suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign in Thee, and I die for Thee, that I may live with You, but accept me as an immaculate sacrifice, sacrificed to You with love. Through prayers, as the Merciful, save our souls.
Troparion to the Holy Great Martyr Euphemia the All-Praised, tone 4
Having loved your bridegroom Christ and prepared your light, shining with virtues, all-praised Euthymie, you therefore ascended to marriage with Him, receiving the crown of suffering from Him. But deliver us from troubles, who honor your memory with faith.
Kontakion to the Holy Great Martyr Euphemia the All-Praised, tone 6
You have put forth deeds in suffering, deeds in faith, warmly for Christ, your Bridegroom. But even now, like heresies and enemies, the staggering under the feet of our army is subdued, pray to the Mother of God, even from the six hundred and thirty God-bearing Fathers, who received and preserved the limit, the all-praised one.
Kontakion to the Holy Great Martyr Euphemia the All-Praised, tone 4
In her suffering she labored well and after her death she sanctified us with miracles, O all-praised one. In this way we sing of your Dormition, running by faith into your Divine Church, so that we may be delivered from the ailments of our souls and may receive miracles of grace.
Glorification of the Holy Great Martyr Euphemia the All-Praised
We magnify you, the passion-bearer of Christ Euthymia, and honor your honest suffering, which you endured for Christ.
First prayer to the holy martyr Eustathius Placis in sorrow for the children, where they are and whether they are alive
Oh, glorious saint and long-suffering great martyr of Christ Eustathius! Hear us, sinners and unworthy ones, who celebrate your holy long-suffering memory. Ask us from the Lord with your many-powerful prayers for grace, even unto salvation, and forgiveness of all the sins we have committed, the prosperity of the earth, a peaceful dispensation for the world and liberation from the fierce wiles of the devil, the Christian end of our life and the peaceful passage to heaven through airy ordeals, for you have accepted This grace is from the Lord, if you pray for us, and if you desire to have mercy on us who honor your sacred memory. You can do everything. Do not despise us unworthy, Holy Great Martyr Eustathius. Ask from the Lord all that is good and useful to our souls, so that we too may be worthy to glorify and glorify His All-Holy and Magnificent Name in the worldly Kingdom of Heaven, where there is the dwelling place of all saints, forever and ever. Amen.
Second prayer to the holy martyr Eustathius Placis during the invasion of enemies and foreigners, during the flood
Holy Martyr Eustathius! Look down from the heavenly palace on those who require your help and do not reject our petitions, but, as our constant benefactor and intercessor, pray to Christ God, that He who loves mankind and is abundantly merciful will save us from every cruel situation: from cowardice, flood, fire, sword, invasions of foreigners and internecine warfare. May he not condemn us sinners for our iniquity, and may we not turn the good things given to us from the All-Bounteous God into evil, but into the glory of His holy name and into the glorification of your strong intercession. May the Lord, through your prayers, give us peace of mind, abstinence from harmful passions and all defilement, and may He strengthen throughout the world His One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, which He has acquired with His honest Blood. Pray diligently, holy martyr, may Christ God bless the power, may He establish in His holy Orthodox Church the living spirit of right faith and piety, so that all its members, clean from wisdom and superstition, worship Him in spirit and truth and diligently care about keeping His commandments, May we all live in peace and piety in this present world and achieve blessed eternal life in heaven, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, to Him belongs all glory, honor and power, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer to the Holy Great Martyr Euphemia the All-Praised for the granting of patience and humility
Oh, holy, all-praised Euthymia, immaculate virgin and glorious great martyr, true bride of Christ, given to us for protection by the Lord, hear now our prayers offered to you with love. By the grace given to you from God, help us, the weak and wretched, to fearlessly pass through this difficult and sorrowful field of life, so that we may, like you, not be afraid of the machinations of the evil enemy, who are erected against us and who want to destroy our souls. Bring to our Sweetest Lord Jesus Christ our humble prayer and beg Him to grant us strength and strength, patience and humility, so that with them we may overcome the enemy and tirelessly glorify our Lord, with Him the Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. . Amen.
Prayer to the holy martyrs Eustathius Placis and Euphemia for missing children
About the glorification of the saints and long-suffering of the Great Martyrs of Christ Eustathia and Euthymie! Hear us sinners and unworthy servants of God (names), who celebrate your holy long-suffering memory. Ask us from the Lord with your many-powerful prayers for grace, even unto salvation, and forgiveness of all the sins we have committed, the prosperity of the earth, a peaceful dispensation for the world and liberation from the fierce wiles of the devil, the Christian end of our life and the peaceful passage to heaven through the airy ordeal: for you have accepted by nature This grace is from the Lord, if you pray for us, and if you want to have mercy on us who honor your sacred memory, you can do everything. Do not despise us, unworthy, holy Great Martyrs Eustathia and Euthymie. Ask from the Lord all that is good and useful to our souls, so that we too will be worthy to glorify and sing together with you His all-holy and magnificent name in the worldly Kingdom of Heaven, where the dwelling place of all saints is, forever and ever.
The Legend of Eustace Placis
On the same day. Description of the life and torment of Saint Eustathius, and his wife Theopistia, and their children Agapius and Theopist.
During the reign of the Roman Emperor Trajan, there lives a brave and virtuous man, the stratilate Placidas. Both he and his wife are pagans, but they do good deeds. The philanthropic God wants to save Placidas from the darkness of idolatry and, when he goes hunting, he arranges for a deer to appear before him, between whose horns the holy cross shines. The deer says that under the guise of an animal, Placidas sees Jesus Christ, who appeared to him in the form of a deer in order to rescue him from the network of devilish delusions. Placidas gains faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and is baptized along with his wife and two sons.
Placidas receives the name Eustathius at baptism, and his wife Tatyana is called Theopistia. The next day, Placidas goes to the same place where he had a vision, and the Lord tells him that now Placidas must be prepared for all sorts of troubles, for, having been baptized, he has departed from the devil and he will begin to pursue him. If Placidas, no matter what, maintains faith and defeats the devil, then he will receive the crown of victory.
A pestilence begins in Eustathius's house, but he understands that this is a misfortune predicted by the Lord and resigns himself. Together with his wife and sons, Eustathius secretly leaves the house, abandons all his property, which becomes the prey of thieves, and goes to Egypt. They board a ship and set sail from their country, but the owner of the ship demands payment from them, and since Eustathius has no money, he takes his wife. Eustathius is forced to reconcile himself and goes ashore with his sons. As they cross the river, the lion grabs one son and runs away with him, while the wolf carries away the other boy. Eustathius is in despair: he is convinced that his children have died. But residents of a nearby village save children who were not harmed at all, take them in and raise them as their own.
