Eustathius was a respected general in the Roman army during the reign of Emperor Trajan and was named Placis. He came to the Christian faith in a wonderful way. When he was once hunting for a deer, Plakida saw a cross between the antlers of the animal and heard a voice calling him to true faith in Christ, the Savior who had suffered on the cross. Thus Plakida believed and was baptized with the name Eustathius, which means healthy, unshakable. His wife Tatiana was also believed and baptized, who was called Theopis, that is, faithful to God, as well as their two children Agapius and Theopistes.

When Emperor Trajan learned that his good general had converted to Christianity, he deprived him of the high military rank and exiled him with his whole family. Along the way, however, Eustathius was separated from his wife and two children. He endured the separation from his family very hard, but there was nothing he could do but pray to God for His mercy.

Years later, when the emperor was in great military difficulties, he remembered his most capable warlord. Therefore, he returned him to service, and Eustathius, with his great bravery and military skills, contributed much to the victory. And to his great surprise, by God's mercy, he found his family and with tears thanked God for this great joy.

However, Trajan's successor, Emperor Hadrian, immediately began persecuting Christians. He also required Eustathius to attend the sacrifices of the pagan gods. But the valiant warrior of Christ decisively refused, and then he and his family were tortured. In the terrible torments in their souls only their love for Christ was strengthened. Finally, Eustathius and his family were burned alive. This happened in 117 AD, BTA reported.