Archbishop
Saint Eustathius, Archbishop of Antioch, was born in Side of Pamphylia in the second half of the 3rd century. He was the bishop of the city of Berytus and, at the request of his flock, was elevated to the Antiochian see at the First Ecumenical Council in 325.
The saint was an educated theologian and fought against the heresy of Arius, who did not recognize the consubstantiality of the Son of God with the Father. At the Nicene Council, he was the chairman, and the Council condemned the teaching of Arius, depriving him and his followers of their rank. However, intrigues began against the saint from bishops sympathetic to the heresy. They bribed a woman to bear false witness against the saint, which led to his deposition and exile to Thrace.
The falsity of the accusation soon became apparent, but Saint Eustathius was already in exile. He continued to defend Orthodoxy and died in exile in 337. The Second Ecumenical Council in 381 confirmed the Orthodox Symbol of Faith that the saint defended.
In 482, the relics of the saint were transferred to Antioch, where he was venerated and loved. Saint Eustathius was honored by the great saints of the 4th century, and he was called a pillar of the Church and piety.
