SAINT EUSTACE

1st–2nd centuries AD

Before being baptized he was named Placidus. He was a general under the Emperors Titus (79–81) and Trajan (98–117). Once, while hunting a stag, Placidus saw a crucifix between the stag's antlers and heard a voice telling him to adopt Christianity. He baptized and took the name Eustace. He concealed his faith and served the Emperors until the moment when he refused to worship the pagan gods. For this, he was together with his family thrown inside a red-hot bronze statue of a bull and became a martyr.

Attributes: head of stag with a crucifix, bronze bull.