Saint Anastasia the Great Martyr
Date of celebration: 22/12
The origin of Saint Anastasia was from Rome. Her father’s name was Praetextatos and he was a Roman patrician while her mother’s name was Fausta. Anastasia was distinguished for her physical beauty, her education, her impeccable morals and her wisdom.
She married at a young age Poplion, ruler of the Romans and a fanatical pagan. Anastasia, however, was indoctrinated in the word of Christ and received Divine Baptism. Because she did not show publicly, because of her husband, her Christian faith secretly helped those who needed a helping hand or a word of comfort. He dressed scantily and went to prisons taking food and money. That is why she was called “Pharmacolytria”.
When Poplion learned of the Saint’s action, he was enraged. At first he tried to persuade her with advice. But Anastasia remained steadfast in her faith even when he abused her. This persistence of hers angered Poplion and he handed her over to the emperor Diocletian, who ordered her imprisonment. Because she continued to praise the Lord, Diocletian ordered her torture.
Finally, Saint Anastasia surrendered her spirit to the pyre in 290 AD.