4th century
Saints Eustratius, Auxentius, Eugene, Mardarius and Orestes
Five martyrs of Diocletian's persecution in Armenia.
Biography
The five saints were martyred in Asia Minor during Diocletian's persecution. Eustratius, a senior officer, was arrested by the duke Lysias, cruelly tortured and finally thrown into a fire, after first being forced to walk in iron shoes lined with spikes.
Auxentius, a priest and fellow citizen of Eustratius, refused the governor's promises to make him renounce his faith and followed the same path of martyrdom together with Eugene, Mardarius and Orestes.
Their relics are venerated today in monasteries on Mount Athos and at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Polystylo, Kavala.