Eugene the Sacred: a temple, an icon, a prayer

In the IV century, during the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great, the light of Christianity, which became the official state religion, shone in the expanses of the Roman Empire and its subordinate states. But this triumph of true faith was preceded by a long and hard journey, poured by the blood of martyrs who gave their lives for it. One of them was the holy martyr Eugene, about which our story will go.

The Emperor is the vicious persecutor of Christ's faith

At the very beginning of the IV century in the East, the emperor pagan Diocletian ruled, who went down in history as one of the most cruel and persistent persecutors of Christians. A fanatical devotee of idolatry, he did his best to revive the paganism that had died by that time. One of the stages in his struggle against true faith was the decree he issued in 302.

On the basis of this ungodly document, all the rulers of cities were obliged to destroy the Christian temples located in their respective 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 history as Orthodox saints who have become martyrs who shed their blood for Christ.

Tougher barbarous laws

However, it was impossible to reverse the course of history, and Diocletian soon became convinced of the futility of his efforts. Deprived of their temples and intimidated by threats, the adherents of the new faith gathered for joint prayers and worship in caves, remote groves and other secluded places. Then a new, even more cruel decree followed. He prescribed to use all measures to persuade Christians to paganism, and disobedient betray fierce 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 Sathalion and was a close friend of the commander of the city army, whose name was Evstratii. Both of them were from the city of Aravrakin, belonged to the number of Christians and secretly from the supreme ruler participated in divine services and all Christian rituals. Since the last decree of the emperor came out, their lives were constantly endangered, especially since among the large number of dark and ignorant city dwellers, the struggle with the Christian faith was met with support and approval.

Arrest and imprisonment of an Armenian priest

It so happened that soon after the presbyter of the Armenian church Avksentii was seized and brought to Satalion, also glorified in the face of the saints. He fell into the hands of a cruel and fanatical pagan - the regional ruler of Lysia. He was an ardent Christian haters and a blind performer of the imperial will. No one had any doubts that the fate of the Armenian presbyter was a foregone conclusion.

Eustratius and his friend Evgeni immediately learned about the imminent trial of the servant of God's church. Saint Auxentius, while in the dungeon, did not cease to pray to God for everyone who, with him, was destined to accept in the name of the Lord a martyr's death. Both friends hurried to him and asked to remember their names in prayers, so that the Most High would send them, simple and humble people, the power to glorify His Name by their death.

Prayer in the Darkness of the Dungeon

In a gloomy stone dungeon, among the moaning of prisoners and the ringing of chains, the words of the prayer of the Armenian presbyter condemned to the unjust judgment of the pagans, but ready to appear before the Court of the Creator of the universe, ascended to Heaven. He asked for the gift of power 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 a testimony of God's Grace come down on them, they felt a surge of courage in their hearts Evstratius and Eugene. The Holy Spirit took them in and gave them strength beyond which there is nothing in this perishable world. From the stifling darkness of the dungeon they began their journey to Eternal Life.

The unjust judgment of the evil heathen

The next day, in the presence of all the city nobility and military leaders, the Imperial governor and the supreme ruler of the city of Lysias began the trial of the presbyter Avksenty and those who were with him. They were people who, like their spiritual father, refused to exchange the Divine teaching for life. An 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 Yevstratiya and Eugenia

Undoubtedly, he believed that Christians would be condemned only. However, everything turned out differently. The first before him and the whole composition of the court appeared Eustratius, since he commanded the city army, and, according to rank, it was he who was entitled to the first word. To the great amazement of the ruler, he not only did not blaspheme the defendants, but, accompanying his words with convincing arguments, managed to pronounce a brilliant speech in defense of Christianity, and at the end openly and boldly declared his membership in this doctrine.

Struck by what he heard, Lysias was literally speechless, but the next minute, when he came to himself, he angrily ordered to deprive the daring military leader of all his titles and posts, and himself to be put to death. No sooner had those present at this stage managed to cope with the fear that seized them, as Eugene came forward. The saint, echoing the words of his friend Evstratiya, declared Christianity to be the only true and true religion, and recognized himself as a follower. Needless to say, the ruler's anger hit him with all his strength. Eugene was here in chains and taken to the same dungeon where he and his friend asked to pray for Saint Auxentius the day before.

Way to the place of execution

Early in the 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 led to the city of Nikopol, where large numbers of people were executed. 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 Eustratius and Eugene, bending under the blows of the overseer's scourges, passed through its streets, many of the assembled people recognized them, but did not show their appearance, afraid of incurring trouble. The exception was only one courageous and courageous man named Mardary. He also professed Christianity and could not calmly look at the fetters of his brothers by faith.

Having said goodbye to his family and entrusting custody of her to pious neighbors - secret Christians, he voluntarily followed his brothers in Christ. In the city of Nikopol, after much suffering, they all died. 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 every year on December 26 according to a new style.

Memory of the Holy Martyr

Today in Russia, among all the saints of God, who dedicated their earthly lives to the service of the Lord, the holy martyr Eugene is also worthy. In Novosibirsk, under the cathedral of Archangel Michael , a monastery of his name operates. In the same city in 1995 the church of St. Eugene was opened. Built near the Zaeltsovsky cemetery, it is considered one of the most beautiful in Novosibirsk.

The author of the project of the building of this spiritual center is the architect I. I. Rudenko, who embodied in his outlines the poetry of Russian Orthodox antiquity. The temple has the status of a monastery of Pokrovsky Monastery (Zavyalovo village), one of the heavenly patrons of which is Saint Eugene. His icon occupies an honorable place in the monastery church.

The Holy Great Martyr, not afraid to openly admit himself as a Christian and suffer and die for it, comes to the aid of all who turn to him with faith and hope. Prayer to St. Eugene helps people in all worldly adversities, regardless of whether a person who has received the same name, or who was christened somehow differently, appeals for help. Even if prayer is first prayed before his holy image, it will be heard if it comes from the heart.