Armenian Church commemorates Sts. Eustratius, Ogsentius, Eugenius, Ovrestes and Mardairus

Today, on December 12, the Armenian Apostolic Church commemorates Sts. Eustratius, Ogsentius, Eugenius, Ovrestes and Mardairus.

Despite their Greek names, Eustratius, Ogsentius, Eugenius, Ovrestes and Mardairus were Armenians from the city of Sebastia, where they had been subjected to persecutions and martyred during the period of the reign of kings Dioclethianus and Maximianus. Christians were subjected to especially severe torments in the remote districts of the country—in Armenia Minor and Cappadocia.

The military commander of the city Satakh, Armenia Minor, burnt Eustratius on the fire because he had called Lisia, who persecuted Christians, a heathen and idolater. Priest Ogsentius, Eugenius—the friend of Eustratius—Mardarius—one of his servants—and a soldier named Ovrestes, who had a cross on his neck, were also subjected to severe torments and were martyred.