Which names are celebrated on September 20?
The Greek Orthodox name day list for September 20 centers on forms derived from Eustathios and Theopistos. Common male names include Eustathios, Stathis, Stathas and Stathakos. Female equivalents are Eustathia, Stathoula, Stathia and Eustathoula. Theopistos yields Theopisti, Pisti, Theopistia and related short forms. These names trace directly to the family members commemorated by the Church on this date. The source presents the list without additional commentary on frequency or regional use, leaving open how widely each variant is observed today.
Who are the saints honored on this date?
The Church marks the memory of Saint Eustathios the Great Martyr, his wife Saint Theopisti and their sons Saints Agapios and Theopistos. Eustathios had served as a distinguished Roman officer before his conversion. The family story forms the core of the liturgical observance for September 20. No other saints are named for the day in the provided material, so the commemoration remains tightly focused on this single household.
Conversion of Eustathios
While still known as Placidas, Eustathios encountered a vision during a hunt. A stag appeared with a cross between its antlers and a voice called him to the Christian faith. He and his wife Tatiana, later renamed Theopisti, received baptism along with their two sons, who became Agapios and Theopistos. The account emphasizes the sudden and miraculous character of the change. The source gives no further details on the location of the hunt or the precise words spoken by the voice, leaving those elements of the traditional narrative open to interpretation in later retellings.
Exile and separation
Emperor Trajan learned of the conversion and stripped Eustathios of his military rank. The entire family was sent into exile. During the journey they were separated, leaving Eustathios without his wife and sons for several years. The narrative highlights the personal cost of the decision to follow the new faith. The source does not record how long the separation lasted or the conditions each family member faced, so those aspects remain unsettled by the given text.
Reinstatement and victory
When Trajan faced serious military difficulties, he recalled Eustathios for his proven ability. The former officer contributed to the victory through both courage and strategic skill. On the return journey he was reunited with his wife and sons, restoring the family unit. The source states that Eustathios helped secure the victory but supplies no specific battle names or casualty figures, keeping the military episode at a summary level.
Martyrdom under Hadrian
After Trajan’s death, Emperor Hadrian demanded that Eustathios participate in sacrifices to pagan gods. Eustathios refused. He and his family endured torture yet remained steadfast in their faith. They ultimately died inside a bronze ox heated to high temperature in 117 AD. The account presents their endurance as sustained by devotion to Christ. The source gives the year 117 AD and the method of execution but offers no further description of the torture itself or the precise location.
How does the calendar connect names to saints?
Orthodox practice links personal names to the feast days of saints who bore the same or related names. On September 20, individuals named Eustathios or Theopisti and their variants are traditionally honored. The connection serves both liturgical and social functions, marking personal identity with the memory of the saint. The source does not discuss contemporary observance practices, so the extent of continued social recognition today is not addressed.
Frequently asked questions
Which names celebrate on September 20?
Eustathios, Stathis, Stathas, Stathakos, Eustathia, Stathoula, Theopistos, Theopisti and Pisti are among the names listed for this date.
Who is the main saint commemorated?
Saint Eustathios the Great Martyr is the central figure, together with his wife Theopisti and sons Agapios and Theopistos.
What event led to Eustathios’s conversion?
A vision of a cross on a stag’s antlers during a hunt prompted his acceptance of Christianity, according to the traditional account.
When did the martyrdom occur?
The family died in 117 AD during the reign of Emperor Hadrian.
Why are these names grouped together?
The names derive from the members of the saint’s immediate family who share the same feast day in the Orthodox calendar .
