Holy New Martyr Anastasius of Bulgaria (†1794) — August 29 / September 11 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, August 29 according to the Julian Calendar (September 11 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy New Martyr Anastasius of Bulgaria.

The holy Martyr Anastasius the Bulgarian was born in 1774 in the village of Radovish, in the diocese of Strumica. His parents apprenticed him to a tailor to learn the trade. Once, when the young man was twenty years old, he had to travel with his master to Thessaloniki. The craftsman wished to avoid paying duty on at least a few sets of Turkish clothing, and so he persuaded Anastasius to dress as a Turk. The customs officers stopped him and demanded proof that the duty had been paid. The youth answered that he was a Turk. The officials then demanded that he recite the salawat, the Muslim prayer. Anastasius was confounded and fell silent.

He was then taken before the governor, who questioned the chosen one of the Lord and demanded that he convert to Islam. The young man refused. He was then brought before the chief customs officer, who tried first with flattery and then with insistence to bend the martyr’s will. Anastasius admitted the civil offence, but he would not agree to deny Christ. The lamb of Christ was tortured and at last sentenced to be hanged. Even on the way to execution the Turks urged the young man to renounce his faith; but he, tormented and exhausted, lost all strength, collapsed, and on August 29, 1794, gave up his soul to the Lord.