Holy Great-Martyr Anastasia the Deliverer from Potions and Others with Her

Life

This glorious heroine of the Faith of Christ was born in Rome in a senatorial and wealthy household, of a pagan father and Christian mother. From early youth Anastasia clung in love to the Lord Jesus, guided in the teaching of Christ by a certain pious teacher Chrysogonus. Forced by her father, Anastasia entered into marriage with a certain pagan nobleman Publius. But, excusing herself on account of female illness, Anastasia would not consent to enter into bodily relations with him. Because of this her husband tormented her bitterly with confinement and hunger. And even greater torments he inflicted upon her when Publius learned that Anastasia secretly went to the prisons to Christian martyrs, brought them provisions, served them, washed their wounds, loosened their chains. But by God's Providence Anastasia was freed from her wicked husband. Publius was sent by the emperor to Persia, and traveling by sea, Publius drowned. Then Saint Anastasia began freely to serve the tortured Christians and with her great inheritance to comfort the poor by distributing alms to them. Once Emperor Diocletian was in the city of Aquileia, and commanded that they bring to him the confessor of Christ, Chrysogonus. Saint Anastasia accompanied Chrysogonus on the journey. Holy Chrysogonus was beheaded by the emperor's command. Then also suffered three sisters, Agape, Chionia and Irene (see April 16): the first two were cast into fire, and the third was shot through with an arrow. Their bodies Saint Anastasia took, wrapped in white linen and having covered them with many aromatic spices, honorably buried them. Then Anastasia went to Macedonia, where Anastasia helped the sufferers for Christ. There Anastasia was recognized as a Christian, because of which Anastasia was seized and led to hearings and interrogations before various judges. Desiring to die for her beloved Christ, Anastasia unceasingly cried out in her heart to Him. A certain chief of priests Ulpian wished to touch lustfully the body of Saint Anastasia, but suddenly went blind and expired. Condemned to death by starvation, Saint Anastasia lay in prison for thirty days without food, nourishing herself only with tears and prayer. Then Anastasia was placed in a boat with several other Christians to be drowned, but God preserved her even from that death. Finally Anastasia was bound by feet and hands to four stakes over a fire, and gave up her holy soul to God. Anastasia suffered and passed into the Kingdom of Christ in the year 304.

From the Hymn of Praise

To God serves the holy virgin Anastasia,By faith, hope and deeds, shines with God.Husband, glory and wealth the virgin leaves behind,And to the captives gladly serves, God she glorifies.