27 ЖОВТНЯ / OCT 27

The Holy Martyr Nestor was a young Christian known for his courage and faith. He was a disciple of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrios of Thessaloniki, who had instructed him in the Christian Faith.

When Emperor Maximian came to Thessaloniki, he organized public games to entertain the people. In the center of the city, he built a high platform where a powerful barbarian named Lyaeos challenged men to wrestle with him.

Sharp spears were placed beneath the platform. Whenever Lyaeos defeated his opponent, he threw him down onto the spears, and the man died. Many Christians were forced to fight him and were killed.

Nestor watched as the Emperor proudly celebrated the victories of his champion. He was deeply troubled by the suffering of the Christians. Seeing the courage and faith of Saint Demetrios, Nestor decided to act.

He went to the prison where Saint Demetrios was being held and fell at his feet.

“Pray for me, O servant of God Demetrios,” Nestor said. “Ask God to help me defeat Lyaeos and put an end to the one who brings shame upon the Christians.”

Saint Demetrios made the Sign of the Cross over Nestor and told him that, with God’s help, he would defeat Lyaeos, but that he would also suffer for Christ.

Nestor entered the arena without fear and cried out: “Help me, O God of Demetrios!”

With the blessing and prayers of Saint Demetrios, Nestor defeated the powerful Lyaeos and threw him onto the spears below. The pagan champion died there.

The Emperor became furious and ordered that both Demetrios and Nestor be executed. Saint Demetrios was pierced with spears, while Saint Nestor was beheaded.

Although Nestor was very young, he showed great courage because he trusted in God rather than in his own strength. His life reminds us of the words of Scripture: “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me” (Psalm 117/118:6; Hebrews 13:6).

Saint Nestor teaches us that when we face something difficult or frightening, we should not rely only on ourselves. We can turn to God in prayer and ask Him for strength. True courage does not mean having no fear; it means trusting God even when we are afraid.

The Church also commemorates the Holy Martyrs Capitolina and Eroteis, who suffered during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Diocletian, around the year 304.

Saint Capitolina was a noble and wealthy woman, but she did not place her trust in earthly riches. She gave her possessions to the poor and freed her slaves. When she was arrested because she was a Christian, she was brought before the governor Zilikinthios.

Saint Capitolina openly confessed her faith in Christ and refused to deny Him. The governor ordered her to be imprisoned, and the following day she was beheaded.

Her servant, Saint Eroteis, witnessed what happened. In her anger at the injustice done to her mistress, she threw stones at the governor. He ordered his guards to beat her severely with sticks. By God’s grace, however, she remained unharmed.

The governor then ordered that she also be beheaded with a sword. Thus Saints Capitolina and Eroteis, a noblewoman and her servant, gave their lives for Christ and received the crown of eternal glory.

Their lives remind us that earthly status and possessions have no lasting value. Capitolina had wealth but freely gave it away. Eroteis had little worldly power, yet she possessed the courage of faith.

May Saints Nestor, Capitolina, and Eroteis pray for us, that we may trust God in difficult moments, remain faithful to Christ, and remember that our true treasure is not found in this world but in the Kingdom of God.