In the IV century, during the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great, the light of Christianity, which became the official state religion, shone on the expanses of the Roman Empire and the states subject to it. But this triumph of the true faith was preceded by a long and difficult path, watered with the blood of the martyrs who gave their lives for it. One of them was the holy martyr Eugene, about whom our story will go.
The Emperor is an evil persecutor of the Christian faith
At the very beginning of the 4th century, the pagan emperor Diocletian, who went down in history as one of the most cruel and adamant persecutors of Christians, ruled in the East. A fanatical adherent of idolatry, he tried with all his might to revive paganism, which had died out by that time. One of the stages of his struggle with the true faith was a decree issued by him in 302.
Based on this ungodly document, all the rulers of cities were obliged to destroy Christian churches located in their territories, and those who refused to worship idols were to be deprived of all civil rights and brought to justice. Many of the victims of this wicked emperor will go down in the history of the church as Orthodox saints who became martyrs who shedtheir blood for Christ.
Tougher barbaric laws
However, it was impossible to change the course of history, and Diocletian soon became convinced of the futility of his efforts. Deprived of their temples and not intimidated by the threats of judgment, adherents of the new faith gathered for joint prayers and services in caves, remote groves and other secluded places. Then a new, even more cruel decree followed. He ordered to use all measures to incline Christians to paganism, and put the rebellious to cruel death.
Friends in life and brothers in Christ
It was in these difficult years for Christians that the Great Martyr Eugene glorified the Lord with his feat. The saint lived in the city of Satalion and was a close friend of the commander of the city army, whose name was Eustratius. Both of them were from the city of Aravrakin, belonged to the number of Christians and, secretly from the supreme ruler, participated in worship and the performance of all Christian rites. Since the last decree of the emperor was issued, their lives have been constantly in danger, especially since among a large number of dark and ignorant residents of the city, the struggle against the faith of Christ met with support and approval.
Arrest and imprisonment of an Armenian priest
It so happened that soon the presbyter of the Armenian church, Auxentius, was soon captured and brought to Satalion, who over time was also glorified as a saint. He fell into the hands of a cruel and fanatical pagan - the regional ruler Lysias. It was an ardent hater of Christians and a blind performerimperial will. No one had any doubts that the fate of the Armenian presbyter was sealed.
Evstraty and his friend Evgeny immediately learned about the imminent trial of the minister of God's church. Saint Auxentius, being in prison, did not cease to pray to God for all those who, together with him, were destined to be martyred in the name of the Lord. Both friends, hastening to him, asked to remember their names in prayers, so that the Almighty would send down to them, simple and humble people, the strength to glorify His Name with their death.
Prayer in the darkness of the dungeon
In a gloomy stone dungeon, among the groans of prisoners and the ringing of chains, the words of the prayer of an Armenian presbyter ascended to Heaven, doomed to the unjust judgment of the pagans, but ready to soon appear before the Court of the Creator of the universe. He asked for the granting of strength to all those who, like him, want to glorify the name of the Lord with their torment and death.
His words were heard, and as evidence of the Grace of God descended on them, Evstraty and Evgeny felt a surge of courage in their hearts. The Holy Spirit overshadowed them and gave them strength beyond which there is nothing in this mortal world. From the suffocating darkness of the dungeon they began their journey to Eternal Life.
The unrighteous judgment of evil pagans
The next day, in the presence of all the city's nobility and military commanders, the imperial governor and supreme ruler of the city Lysias began the trial of presbyter Auxentius and those who were with him. These were people who, like their spiritual father, refused to exchange the Divine teaching for life. Imminent death awaited them all, but at first Lysias tried to create at least some semblance of justice and therefore wished to hear the opinion of those present.
Judicial speeches by Eustratius and Eugene
Undoubtedly, he thought that only condemnation would be heard against Christians. However, things turned out differently. Eustratius was the first to appear before him and the entire composition of the court, since he commanded the city army, and, by rank, it was he who was supposed to have the first word. To the great amazement of the ruler, he not only did not blaspheme the defendants, but, accompanying his words with the most convincing arguments, managed to deliver a brilliant speech in defense of Christianity, and at the end openly and boldly declared his belonging to this doctrine.
Amazed by what he heard, Lysias was literally dumbfounded, but the next minute, coming to his senses, he in a rage ordered to deprive the impudent commander of all his ranks and positions, and to put him to death. Those who were present at this scene had not yet had time to cope with the fear that gripped them, when Evgeny stepped forward. The saint, echoing the words of his friend Eustratius, declared Christianity the only true and true religion, and recognized himself as its follower. Needless to say, the anger of the ruler fell upon him with all his might. Yevgeny was immediately put in chains and taken to the very dungeon where the day before he and his friend asked Saint Auxentius to pray.
The way to the place of execution
In the early morning they were taken out of the gates of the fortress, in the cellars of which Christians were kept, who refused to worship idols even under pain of death, and ledto the city of Nikopol, where, with a large gathering of people, executions were carried out. The path of this sad procession ran through Aravrakin, the hometown of condemned friends. Here they were well remembered and loved for their kindness and humanity.
When Yevstraty and Yevgeny, bending under the blows of the overseers' whips, passed through its streets, many of the assembled people recognized them, but did not show any signs, fearing to bring trouble on themselves. The only exception was one brave and courageous man named Mardarius. He also professed Christianity and could not calmly look at the chains of his brothers in faith.
Having said goodbye to his family and entrusted the care of his pious neighbors - secret Christians, he voluntarily followed his brothers in Christ. In the city of Nikopol, after much suffering, they all accepted death. Over time, they were all canonized and today are known as Orthodox saints. The Orthodox Church honors their memory. The day of St. Eugene and those who suffered with him for the faith is celebrated annually on December 26 in a new style.
Memory of the holy martyr
Today in Russia, among all the saints of God who have dedicated their earthly lives to the service of the Lord, the holy martyr Eugene is worthily revered. In Novosibirsk, at the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael, there is a monastery named after him. In the same city in 1995, the church of St. Eugene was opened. Built near the Zaeltsovskoye cemetery, it is considered one of the most beautiful in Novosibirsk.
The author of the project of the building of this spiritual center isarchitect I. I. Rudenko, who embodied in its outlines the poetry of Russian Orthodox antiquity. The temple has the status of a courtyard of the Intercession Monastery (village Zavyalovo), one of the heavenly patrons of which is St. Eugene. His icon takes a place of honor in the monastery church.
The Holy Great Martyr, who was not afraid to openly acknowledge himself a Christian before an unjust judge and suffered suffering and death for this, comes to the aid of all who turn to him with faith and hope. Prayer to St. Eugene helps people in all life's hardships, regardless of whether a person who received the same name during holy baptism, or named in some other way, asks for help. Even if for the first time a prayer is offered before his holy image, it will be heard if it comes from the heart.
