Anastasia was born in Rome during the reign or Diocletian (CE 284 – 305). Her father was a Pagan but her mother was a Christian. After the death of her mother, Anastasia was given to a Pagan Roman. She maintain her virginity by pretending to be sick all the time. When her husband died at sea, Anastasia became active in ministering to Christians in prisons. Although of noble birth, Anastasia dressed as a beggar and took medicines that the sick Christians in Roman prisons. She was skilled in the healing arts of the days.
Eventually, Anastasia was arrested. The Emperor directly questioned her and tried to get her to recant her faith in Christ. When she did not, he turned her over to a Pagan priest. When the priest also failed, he tried to violate her. However, he was first struck blind when he tried to touch her and then he died when he asked his idols to heal him.
After a short time of freedom, Anastasia was once more arrested. She was sentenced to death by starvation. However, after 60 days without any food, she should no sign of weakening. The judge then sentenced her to death by drowning. She was put onboard a ship with many other Christian and taken out to sea. The soldiers then put holes in the bottom. However, the Christians were still able to sail the ship back to land. When the observers saw this, 150 of them came to believe and where baptized by Anastasia and another Christian. All of these were captured and martyred for their faith.
Anastasia was stretched between four pillars and set on fire. She died but the flames did not burn her body. In the 5th Century, her remains were moved to Constantinople and buried at a church build in dedication to her. Some of her bones, including her head, were later moved to the St. Anastasia Monastery near Mount Athos. The original of the above Icon is located at that monastery.
I gain strength and joy from knowing that my ministry as a Chaplain has done the same. It reminds me that I too am part of the "Deliverer of Potions" tradition.
Permission to Use of Icons:I have on file emailed permission from the sites where I found these Icons to use them on Facebook and on my blog. Please, do not assume that this gives you permission to do the same. You can ask for permission by visiting the following site: St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus
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