Martyr Orestes of Sebaste

Saint Orestes was a young soldier who suffered for confessing Christ in the city of Sebaste (Lesser Armenia) during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian, together with four other martyrs — Eustratius (a military commander and city governor), Auxentius, Eugene, and Mardarius — who together entered church tradition as the "Five Martyrs of Sebaste."

Strengthened by the prayers of Eustratius, Orestes openly confessed faith in Christ before the court. For refusing to sacrifice to idols he was sentenced to an agonizing execution — stretched out and burned on a red-hot iron bed, on which he gave up his soul to God. His companions each suffered in their own way: Mardarius accepted execution after witnessing Eustratius's steadfastness; Eugene had his tongue torn out and his limbs cut off before beheading; Auxentius was beheaded; Eustratius himself, after being marched in red-hot iron sandals studded with nails, was burned alive, also on December 13.

The martyrdom of the Sebaste saints is one of the most venerated examples of collective confession in Orthodox tradition.

His feast is kept on December 13/26 together with all Five Martyrs of Sebaste.