Venerable Martyr
Venerable Martyr Anastasia the Roman
† ок. 250 или 256
Also known as: Анастасия Солунская, Анастасия Старшая, Анастасия Римляныня, Солунская, Прмц. Анастасия Солунская
A 3rd-century Roman nun, raised by the eldress Sophia, martyred for Christ; in Russian tradition also venerated as Anastasia of Thessalonica.
Venerable Martyr Anastasia the Roman, also called Anastasia of Thessalonica and Anastasia the Elder, suffered in the 3rd century. According to her Life, she was born to a noble Roman family, was orphaned at three and raised in a Christian women's community near Rome led by the eldress Sophia, where she became a nun.
At twenty she was brought before the governor Probus, who offered her marriage and honour if she would worship the pagan gods. She confessed Christ and endured long tortures; a Christian named Cyril who gave her water was executed. Finally she was beheaded, and Sophia secretly buried her body. Short Byzantine lives date her death to the reign of Decius and Valerian, longer ones to Diocletian; it is usually placed around 250 or 256. Already in antiquity her story was confused with that of the Great Martyr Anastasia the Deliverer from Bonds.
In Russia her memory on 29 October is known from the late 11th century. The Russian Prologue also placed under 30 October a Life of Anastasia of Thessalonica identical to hers except for the place of death, so the Russian Church commemorates the Venerable Martyr Anastasia the Roman on 29 October (11 November) and the Martyr Anastasia of Thessalonica on 30 October (12 November).
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