Memorial Day of St. Anastasia (04/01)

Holy Great Martyr Anastasia the Pattern Maker was born in Rome. Her mother, a secret Christian, entrusted the raising of a little girl to Saint Chrysogonus, famous for his learning. At the end of the teaching, Anastasia was spoken of as a wise and beautiful maiden. After the death of his mother, regardless of his daughter’s wishes, her father married her to the pagan Pomplius. In order not to break her vow of virginity and avoid the marital bed, Anastasia constantly referred to an incurable disease and remained clean.

Many imprisoned Christians languished in the dungeons of Rome at that time. In miserable clothes, the saint secretly visited prisoners — washed and fed the sick, unable to move, bandaged wounds, and consoled everyone who needed it. Remaining a widow, she used the inheritance for merciful purposes.

After Saint Chrysogonus was executed by decision of Emperor Dioclitian, Saint Anastasia began to wander to serve Christians imprisoned wherever possible. So she received the gift of healing. With the labors and words of consolation, Saint Anastasia facilitated the imprisonment of many people; by caring for the bodies and souls of the suffering, she resolved them from the bonds of despair, fear and helplessness — that is why Anastasia is called the Pattern Maker.

When it became known that Anastasia — was a Christian, Emperor Dioclitian ordered the saint to be taken to the high priest Ulpian so that he would persuade her to sacrifice to the pagan gods or hand her over to a cruel execution. The priest invited Saint Anastasia to make a choice between rich gifts and instruments of torture placed on both sides near her. The Saint did not hesitate to point out the instruments of torture: « Surrounded by these objects, I will become more beautiful and pleasing to my coveted Bridegroom — Christ...».

Before torturing Saint Anastasia, Ulpian decided to desecrate her. But as soon as he touched her, he became blind, terrible pain clenched his head, and after some time he died. Saint Anastasia found herself free and, together with Theodotia (a young Christian widow from Macedonia who helped her in pious labors), continued to serve the prisoners.

Soon Saint Theodotia and her three sons were martyred by the anfipat (head of the region) Niketius in their hometown of Nicaea. Saint Anastasia was imprisoned for the second time and tortured with hunger for 60 days. Every night Saint Theodotia appeared to the martyr, approved and strengthened her patience. Seeing that the famine did not harm the saint, the Igemon of Illyria ordered her to be drowned along with the convicted criminals.

The soldiers put the prisoners on a ship and went out to the open sea. Far from the shore they moved into a boat, and made several holes in the ship so that it would sink. The ship began to sink into the water, but the prisoners saw the martyr Theodotia, sailing the sails and directing the ship to the shore. 120 people, struck by a miracle, believed in Christ — St. Anastasia baptized them. Having learned about what had happened, the Igemon ordered the execution of all newly baptized people. Saint Anastasia was stretched over a fire between four pillars. Thus, Saint Anastasia the Pattern Maker ended her martyrdom in 304.

The saint's body remained unharmed — was buried by the pious Christian Apollinaria. At the end of the persecution, she built a church over the coffin of the Holy Great Martyr Anastasia.

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