The holy martyrs Eustratius, Axentius, Eugene, Mardarius, and Orest suffered for Christ under the emperor Diocletian in Sebastia, Armenia. Presbyter Axentius, imprisoned, became one of the first Christians to endure torture. Saint Eustratius, a secret Christian and noble military leader, revealed his faith and was subjected to cruel tortures, after which he was burned. Axentius was beheaded. Saint Mardarius, from the common people, also confessed his faith and was hanged upside down, praying before his death. Saint Eugene had his tongue torn out, his hands and feet cut off, and his head severed. The young warrior Orest, who confessed himself a Christian, was sentenced to be burned on a heated iron bed, which he ascended, strengthened by the prayer of Saint Eustratius. Saint Eustratius passed away on December 13.
