Today, Sunday (June 22, 2025), according to the ecclesiastical calendar, the Church commemorates Saints Zenon and Zona, martyrs, and Saint Eusebius, Hieromartyr. The names celebrated today include: Zena, Zena, Zenia, Zenas, Zenos, Eusebeia, Sevee, Eusevoula, Sevoula, Eusebios, and Eusebes.
Saint Eusebius lived during the turbulent times when the Church was suffering from the heresies of Arius. At that time, Emperor Constantius, the son of Constantine the Great, supported this false doctrine and harshly persecuted those who opposed it. Saint Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata, was exiled but endured all hardships with remarkable patience, hoping that Orthodoxy would ultimately prevail. When the heretical and hated Constantius died, Julian the Apostate ascended the imperial throne, seeking to restore idol worship. Julian unleashed terrible persecutions against Christians, leading to new and even worse trials for Saint Eusebius. Despite this, the Saint remained steadfast. Similar events occurred under Emperor Valens, another ardent supporter of Arianism. For his defense of Orthodox purity, Valens removed him from his episcopal throne and exiled him to a desolate place near the Danube River. After Valens’ death, the Saint returned from exile to his episcopate and immediately began cleansing his province of heretics. One day in 380 AD, while passing by the house of a heretical woman, she struck him violently on the head with a large stone, causing his martyrdom and transition ‘from the most sorrowful to the most delightful and serene.’ There are other dates when this name is celebrated. Additionally, today marks World Scarab Day.