Review of "The Cross and the Stag: The Incredible Adventures of St. Eustathius," A Graphic Novel by Gabriel Wilson

Ever since I first heard the story of St. Eustathius and his family, about 10 years ago, I have been intrigued by these saints. When I read saints’ lives, I often lament the lack of detail that has come down to us. It’s so much easier to connect with saints as real people, part of the “great cloud of witnesses” who are cheering me on, when I can know some of the vivid details and twists and turns of their real lives. When it comes to St. Eustathius’s family, I can really connect with their story and see it as a source of strength for my own.

Before reading Gabriel Wilson’s graphic novel, The Cross and the Stag, I was concerned that it might extrapolate and add details to St. Eustathius’s life that would fictionalize it. However, I was quite pleased to observe that all of the events were very true to what I knew about St. Eustathius, and any dramatizations felt like realistic interpretations of the story.

The members of this holy family are commemorated for the faithfulness that they all maintained amidst their trials, despite separation and loss. Reading about them was perfect timing for me, as I am facing my own difficult time and having a great need to hold onto my faith despite adversity. It was definitely God’s plan, through the intercessions of His saints, that this book should come to me right now.

I love that St. Eustathius’s wife received the name “Theopiste” at her baptism. This name means “faith in God.” What an interesting name for someone whose faith was going to be severely tested beginning soon after her baptism! I think that if my name were “faith in God,” it might feel a tiny bit easier to hold onto that faith. I’m so glad that I can pray and ask for St. Theopiste’s intercessions, and that I can imagine how she is cheering me on to keep practicing trust in God’s plans, confusing as they may seem. In her own life, she was separated from her husband and sons for years, and yet she clung to God. I want to be like that, firm enough in my knowledge of His goodness that no circumstances can shake my belief in Him.

While I am not someone who is typically drawn to graphic novels, I was immediately attracted to the cover of this one,

and I wasn’t disappointed. Overall I thought the art was very well done and helped to bring the story to life. This image is one of my favorites:

 

So, I highly recommend The Cross and the Stag, the first in Ancient Faith Publishing’s new series Among the Saints, and I am looking forward to the next one! 

I received a review copy of The Cross and the Stag: The Incredible Adventures of St. Eustathius from Ancient Faith Publishing in exchange for my honest review. Check out the link to get your own copy! https://store.ancientfaith.com/the-cross-and-the-stag-the-incredible-adventures-of-st-eustathius/