Saint Menas, who had Egypt as his fatherland, contested in Cotyaeion of Phrygia in 296 during the reign of Diocletian and Maximian. A soldier distinguished for his valour in war, h renounced his rank and withdrew to devote himself to ascetical struggles and prayer in the mountains. Filled with zeal and more than human courage, he presented himself in the mids of a pagan festival in Cotyaeion and declared himself to be a Christian. After terrible torments which he endured with astonishing courage, he was beheaded. His martyrium in Egypt became a place of universal pilgrimage; evidence of ancient journeys to his shrine have been found as far away as Ireland. The glory and refuge of the Christians of Egypt, he has been revealed to be a worker of great miracles and a swift defender for all who call on him with faith; besides all else, he is also invoked for help in finding lost objects.
Saint Eustratios was from Greater Armenia. Like his ancestors, he worshipped Christ in secret; during the persecution of Diocletian, he presented himselfe before the Forum authorities, and was torment in diverse manners, by Lysius the proconsul.He survived and he was sent to Sebastia to Agricolaus, who governed the whole East; by his command he received his end as martyr by fire in 296.
Saint Eustratius was educated and an orator; he was the foremost among Lysius dignitaries and the archivist of the province.
Enlarge
