This holy man lived as a true follower of Christ and drew the hatred and fury of the Arians. He kept safe the synodal decree electing Archbishop Meletius to the See of Antioch. When Emperor Constantius, an Arian supporter, demanded the document’s surrender, the bishop would not yield. He knew the punishment for refusing — his right hand cut off. Still, the saint held out both his hands, declaring: “You may cut them off, but I will not give up the synodal decree that exposes the malice and lawlessness of the Arians.” The emperor, quite struck by such bravery, chose not to harm the saint at that time.
Later, when Julian the Apostate ruled and Christians faced fresh hardships, Eusebius showed no fear. Dressed as a common soldier, this priest-martyr travelled through Phoenicia, Palestine, and Syria, preaching the Christian faith. He called for the Local Council in Antioch in 379, which upheld the true teaching set down at the first Church Council.
When another Arian ruler, Valens, took the throne, Eusebius was banished to Thrace. He met this command with calm, exhorting his flock to obey the law but to hold fast to the true faith. After his return to Samosata, Eusebius worked hard in the service of the Church. Where Arians had replaced the bishops and clergy, he appointed faithful Orthodox shepherds in their stead.
On one journey, he reached the city of Doliche, planning to appoint a new Orthodox bishop, a man named Marinus, in place of the Arian.
It happened that a woman from those parts, an Arian, hurled a fragment of roof tile at Eusebius. The blow proved fatal, yet as life ebbed away, he found it in his heart to forgive her. The holy man pleaded that no one should seek to avenge his death upon the woman. The faithful carried his body to Samosata and laid him to rest with honour.
Through God's loving kindness and the enduring witness of Hieromartyr Eusebius, the faithful of the region held fast to the Orthodox way. His nephew, the blessed Antiochus, succeeded him and continued his holy work.
