Martyr Eustratius, Auxentius, Eugenius, Mardarius and Orestes, Martyrs of Sebaste

Martyr Eustratius came from Aravraka near the city of Satala in Roman Armenia and, at the time of his arrest, had served twenty-seven years as scriniarius — a senior imperial secretary-notary. When the persecution of Emperor Diocletian reached the region (the governor Lysias was sent to Satala, and Agricolaus to Sebaste), Eustratius, who had until then concealed his faith, openly confessed himself a Christian. His example emboldened his fellow townsman Eugenius, also of Aravraka, and then Mardarius, to follow him in confessing Christ; Auxentius was the first to die, at Nicopolis. Orestes, a soldier notable for his height and beauty, was exposed when a cross was found under his armor during an inspection. In Sebaste, Eustratius entered into open debate with the governor Agricolaus, invoking Homer, Hesiod, Plato, and Aristotle against paganism, for which he was tortured — iron boots, fire, suspension over hot coals with salt and vinegar rubbed into his wounds — and finally burned in a furnace. Before his death he uttered the prayer "Magnifying, I magnify Thee, O Lord, for Thou hast looked upon my lowliness...", still read liturgically at the Saturday Midnight Office of the Octoechos. This group of five martyrs is not identical to the famous Forty Martyrs of Sebaste (feast March 9) — it is a separate tradition with its own independent veneration. Their memory is kept on December 13/26.