St. Eustachius is one of the first of the 14 helpers having lived about 100. He was brought up in a paganian faith. His Name was Placidus. He served as a colonel and commander-in-chief of a Roman legion in Asia Minor. After his victory against the Persians during a hunt a deer with a shining cross between the horns is said to have appeared to him. Christ spoke to him. He and his family converted to Christianism. He got the Name Eustachius when he was baptised. Being a Christian he lost all his goods. His family was scattered about. In great danger of war people remembered him being a victorious soldier.
When he was brought back to Rome Eustachius was commander-in-chief again. His family was found in a miraculous way. During the ceremony of victory in honour of the paganian gods he refused to worship them being a convinced Christian. During the government of Emperor Traian he together with his wife Theopista and his two sons Agapitus and Theopistus were burnt by fanatic pagans. Later the legend of the deer was transferred to St. Hubertus of Luettich (Day of Commemoration: November 3rd). Two churches, Eustachio in Rome and St. Eustache in Paris are keeping pretious relics of him. He is to be seen in the famous glass window by Chagall in Chartre, a glass window in Erfurt Cathedral and on the precious altar by Albrecht Duerer called Paumgartneraltar.
| Name: | in Greek: Eustachios: the fruitful |
| Day of Commemoration: | September 20th |
| Native Place: | Orient |
| Year of Death: | 118 under the government of Emperor Hadrian |
| Distinguishing Feature: | deer with a cross between the horns |
| Particular Patronage: | hunters and foresters, of shooting-clubs, helper against pollution, helper against doubts of belief, in serious problems of family-life. |
Prayer:St. Eustachius, once you met the grace of God who created the beautiful deer blessing his creation. Help us to understand nature and to see the traces of God the creator.
