Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, WA

The Martyrs Eustratios, Auxentios, Eugene, Mardarios, and Orestes were from Greater Armenia. Like their ancestors, they worshipped Christ in secret; during the persecution of Diocletian, they presented themselves before the Roman authorities, and having been tormented in diverse manners by Lysios the Proconsul, three of them ended their lives in torments. As for Saints Eustratios and Orestes, they survived and were sent to Sebastia to Agricolaus, who governed the whole East; by his command, these Saints received their end as martyrs by fire in 296 AD. St Auxentios was a priest, and St Eustratios was educated and an orator; he was the foremost among Lysios' dignitaries and the archivist of the province. In the Synaxarion he is given the Latin title of Scriniarios, that is, "keeper of the archives". The prayer, "Magnifying I magnify You, O Lord", which is read in the Saturday Midnight Service, is ascribed to him. In the Third Hour and elsewhere there is another prayer, "O Sovereign Master, God the Father Almighty", which is ascribed to St Mardarios.

St Lucia was from Syracuse in Sicily, a virgin betrothed to a certain pagan. Since her mother suffered from an issue of blood, she went with her to the shrine of St Agatha at Catania to seek healing. There St Agatha appeared to Lucia in a dream, assuring her of her mother's healing, and foretelling Lucia's martyrdom. When her mother had been healed, Lucia gladly distributed her goods to the poor, preparing herself for her coming confession of Christ. Betrayed as a Christian by her betrothed to Paschasios the Governor, she was put in a brothel to be abased, but was preserved in purity by the grace of God. St Lucia was beheaded in the year 304 AD, during the reign of Diocletian.

Dismissal Hymn of the Martyrs
Be quick to anticipate

Your Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for You received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from You, our immortal God. For since they possessed Your strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' powerless presumption. O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since You are merciful.

Dismissal Hymn of the Virgin Martyr
Joseph was amazed

O LORD Jesus, unto You Your lamb cries with a great voice: O my Bridegroom, You I love; and seeking You, I now contest, and with Your baptism I am crucified and buried. I suffer for Your sake, that I may reign with You; for Your sake I die, that I may live in You: accept me offered out of longing to You as a spotless sacrifice. Lord, save our souls through her intercessions, since You are great in mercy.

Kontakion of the Martyr

You shine as a most brilliant light for them that sat in the darkness of ignorance, O prizewinner, and armed with faith as with a spear, you was not frightened by the audacity of your adversaries, O Eustratios, most eloquent of orators.

Kontakion of the Virgin Martyr
On this day the Virgin

We extol with fervent love your most illustrious contest, and we praise and honour you as a chaste virgin and victor; for since you seek the beauty of Christ and none else, you hated all things corruptible, O wise Lucia. Wherefore, when you were beheaded, you was adorned with an incorruptible crown.



	Holy Martyrs Eustratios, Auxentios, Eugene, Mardarios, and Orestes of Greater Armenia. The Holy Virgin Martyr Lucia of Sicily Commemorated December 13 The Martyrs Eustratios, Auxentios, Eugene, Mardarios, and Orestes were from Greater Armenia. Like their ancestors, they worshipped Christ in secret; during the persecution of Diocletian, they presented themselves before the Roman authorities, and having been tormented in diverse manners by Lysios the Proconsul, three of them ended their lives in torments. As for Saints Eustratios and Orestes, they survived and were sent to Sebastia to Agricolaus, who governed the whole East; by his command, these Saints received their end as martyrs by fire in 296 AD. St Auxentios was a priest, and St Eustratios was educated and an orator; he was the foremost among Lysios' dignitaries and the archivist of the province. In the Synaxarion he is given the Latin title of Scriniarios, that is, "keeper of the archives". The prayer, "Magnifying I magnify You, O Lord", which is read in the Saturday Midnight Service, is ascribed to him. In the Third Hour and elsewhere there is another prayer, "O Sovereign Master, God the Father Almighty", which is ascribed to St Mardarios. St Lucia was from Syracuse in Sicily, a virgin betrothed to a certain pagan. Since her mother suffered from an issue of blood, she went with her to the shrine of St Agatha at Catania to seek healing. There St Agatha appeared to Lucia in a dream, assuring her of her mother's healing, and foretelling Lucia's martyrdom. When her mother had been healed, Lucia gladly distributed her goods to the poor, preparing herself for her coming confession of Christ. Betrayed as a Christian by her betrothed to Paschasios the Governor, she was put in a brothel to be abased, but was preserved in purity by the grace of God. St Lucia was beheaded in the year 304 AD, during the reign of Diocletian. Dismissal Hymn of the Martyrs Be quick to anticipate Your Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for You received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from You, our immortal God. For since they possessed Your strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' powerless presumption. O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since You are merciful. Dismissal Hymn of the Virgin Martyr Joseph was amazed O LORD Jesus, unto You Your lamb cries with a great voice: O my Bridegroom, You I love; and seeking You, I now contest, and with Your baptism I am crucified and buried. I suffer for Your sake, that I may reign with You; for Your sake I die, that I may live in You: accept me offered out of longing to You as a spotless sacrifice. Lord, save our souls through her intercessions, since You are great in mercy. Kontakion of the Martyr You shine as a most brilliant light for them that sat in the darkness of ignorance, O prizewinner, and armed with faith as with a spear, you was not frightened by the audacity of your adversaries, O Eustratios, most eloquent of orators. Kontakion of the Virgin Martyr On this day the Virgin We extol with fervent love your most illustrious contest, and we praise and honour you as a chaste virgin and victor; for since you seek the beauty of Christ and none else, you hated all things corruptible, O wise Lucia. Wherefore, when you were beheaded, you was adorned with an incorruptible crown.

Holy Martyrs Eustratios, Auxentios, Eugene, Mardarios, and Orestes of Greater Armenia. The Holy Virgin Martyr Lucia of Sicily