Chamberlains to Grand Duke Algirdas in Lithuania, Anthony, John, and Eustathius converted to Christianity. For refusing to break the fast, they endured various torments before being hanged from an oak tree in Vilnius in 1342. They are the principal patrons of the city of Vilnius.
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SAINT ANTHONY, SAINT JOHN, AND SAINT EUSTATHIUS,
COMMONLY CALLED SAINT KUCLEY, SAINT MILHEY, AND SAINT NIZILON, MARTYRS (1342).
Origins and conversion
Anthony, John, and Eustathius, chamberlains to Grand Duke Algirdas in Lithuania, abandoned the cult of fire to convert to Christianity under the influence of the priest Nestorius.
These Saints, the first two of whom were brothers, were born in Lithuania to very illustrious families. All three were chamberlains to Algi rdas, Olgerd Grand Duke of Lithuania and persecutor of the three saints. Grand Duke of Lithuania and father of the f amous Jo Jagellon Son of Algirdas, mentioned to situate the ducal lineage. gaila. Having been raised in the religion of the country, they worshipped no other divinity than fire; but they had the good fortune to know the truth; they converted to Christianity and received baptism at the hands of a priest nam ed Nestor Nestorius Condemned patriarch to whom Maximian succeeded. ius.
Martyrdom and tortures
Imprisoned for refusing to eat meat on a fast day, the three saints underwent various tortures before being executed in 1342.
Their refusal to eat forbidden meats on a fast day cost them their freedom and their lives. They were imprisoned by order of the Grand Duke, who, after various tortures, condemned them to death. John was executed on April 24, Anthony on June 14, and Eustace on December 13. The latter, who was the youngest of the three, suffered horrible torments before being put to death. His body was bruised with heavy blows from a stick; his legs were broken, and the hair and skin of his head were violently torn away.
Place of execution and church
Hanged from an oak tree in Vilna, the martyrs transformed the site of their execution into a sacred place where Christians built a church.
These three Saints died in Vi lna a Vilna City where Josaphat completed his apprenticeship and entered religious life. round the year 1342. They were hanged from a large oak tree that served as a gallows for criminals: but, after their martyrdom, this tree was no longer used for capital punishment. The Christians bought the tree and the land from the prince, and they subsequently built a church there.
Relics and veneration
Their bodies rest in the Church of the Trinity under the care of the Basilian monks, while Patriarch Alexis officialized their cult as patrons of Vilna.
Their bodies were buried in the Church of the Trinity; and they are still kept in this church, which is served by monks of Saint Basil. Their heads were transferred to the cathedral. Alexis, Cathol Alexis Catholic Patriarch of Kiev who authorized public worship. ic Patriarch of Kiev, ordered that they be honored with public worship. Their feast is celebrated in Vilna on April 14, and they are regarded as the principal patrons of this city.
Hagiographic sources
List of historical and hagiographic references documenting the life and martyrdom of the three saints.
See Henochenius, t. II april., p. 264; Kulcinius, in Specim., p. 12; Albert Wijuk Kojalowicz, Miscel. rerum ad statum eccles. in magna Lithuania ducata pertinentium; M. Jos. Assemani, in Calend. unio., t. vi, p. 254, ed 11 april.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Conversion to Christianity and baptism by Nestorius
- Refusal to eat forbidden meats on a fast day
- Imprisonment by Grand Duke Algirdas
- Execution of John on April 24
- Execution of Anthony on June 14
- Torture and execution of Eustace on December 13
- Hanging from an oak tree in Vilna