Venerable Martyr Anastasia the Roman (3rd Century) — October 29 / November 11 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, October 29 according to the Julian Calendar (November 11 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Venerable Martyr Anastasia the Roman.

The Venerable Martyr Anastasia the Roman suffered for Christ, according to one account, in the reign of the Emperor Decius (249–251), and according to another, under Valerian (253–260). The saint was three years old when her parents died. A pious deaconess named Sophia took upon herself the care of the orphan and raised her in the fear of God.

When the persecution of the faithful began, the city prefect Probus ordered that Anastasia be brought before him. The lamb of Christ, whom her guardian and spiritual mother had blessed for the struggle of martyrdom, calmly met the armed soldiers. When Probus saw the saint’s youth and beauty, he first tried to win her over with flattery: “Why do you ruin your youth? Why do you flee from comfort and pleasure? What is to be gained by suffering and death for the Crucified One? Bow down to our gods, and you will gain a worthy husband, glory and honour.” Anastasia answered firmly: “My Bridegroom, my treasure, my life and my joy is Jesus Christ. You cannot separate me from the Lord through fear of torment!”

Then the cruel torture of God’s chosen one began. The people who witnessed the inhuman torments and mockery of the martyr were filled with indignation and compelled the prefect to stop torturing Anastasia, so he ordered that she be beheaded. The body of the blessed one was cast outside the city to be torn apart by wild beasts, but the Lord did not allow the holy relics to be desecrated: guided by a sign from above, Saint Anastasia’s guardian Sophia found the martyr’s remains and, with the help of two other Christians, committed them to the earth.