EUSTAZIO, bishop of TESSALONICA. - He lived in the second half of the 12th century. He was one of the most important figures of the Byzantine period; he was deacon of S. Sofia of Costantinopoli and subsequently bishop of Tessalonica; as a deacon, he wrote works of a secular character (commentaries on Homer, Pindar, etc.), whereas as bishop he entered practical life and his works took on a character of sexuality.
In them one may note the author’s efforts to reform monastic life and to raise the moral and cultural level of the convents. He did not, however, attain the aim he had set himself, because, precisely on account of this reforming activity, he was compelled to leave Tessalonica for some time. Among the works of the second period, besides the Letters, Homilies, and Discourses, there is a series of writings which reveal his tendencies and his intentions as a reformer (PG, 135-36). His commentary on Homer was published by Stallbaum (7 vols., Lipsia 1825-30).