Holy Martyr Anastasia of Rome: the power of Christ

Anastasia of Rome, Thessalonica, Elder
(+ 250/256), Venerable Martyr Memory June 13 (Ukr. [1]), October 12 (Greek [2]), October 29, October 30

She was born into a noble Roman family, but was orphaned at the age of three. She was taken under the protection of the abbess of the female monastic community near Rome, Sofia. In this monastery she accepted monasticism. Anastasia was 20 years old. She was very beautiful, and many noble Romans asked for her hand in marriage, but Anastasia refused everyone, preferring to remain the bride of Christ. The pagans pulled Saint Anastasia out of the monastery and brought her to the ruler of the city of Prova. They accused her of not only despising noble and rich suitors, but of considering the crucified Christ to be God.

Prov ordered her to sacrifice to idols, but Anastasia refused to renounce Christ. As punishment, she was exposed naked in front of the crowd, then tortured with fire, stretched between 4 pillars and beaten, then subjected to wheeling. Miraculously, the saint remained unharmed. The saint, bleeding, began to faint and asked for water. A certain Kirill, who was standing during her torment, took pity and gave her water to drink. The torture continued - Prov ordered Anastasia to be hung up and torn with iron hooks, then her nipples were cut off, her nails were pulled out, her teeth were knocked out, her arms and legs were cut off, and finally her tongue, with which she constantly praised God, was torn out. The people, seeing the inhumane mockery of the saint, were indignant, and the rulers of the city were forced to stop the torture by beheading the martyr with a sword. Deciding that Cyril, who gave the martyr water to drink, was a secret Christian, the torturers captured him and also executed him.

The body of Saint Anastasia was thrown outside the city to be devoured by wild animals, but God did not allow the holy remains to be mocked. Abbess Sophia, notified by the Lord, found the tortured body of the venerable martyr and, with two Christian assistants, buried it. The time of the saint’s torment is attributed to the year 250 or 256 [3].

Reverence

Since the Great Martyr Anastasia the Pattern Maker also suffered during the reign of Diocletian, and in a number of ancient hagiographic works there is no clear division of information about Anastasia the Roman and the Pattern Maker (called the Elder and the Younger, respectively), it is difficult to be sure of the identity of the relics, images and temples dedicated to them.
In a number of sources of Constantinople origin, the memory of Saint Anastasia of Rome is celebrated on October 12 [4], but in most Byzantine calendars her memory is kept under October 29 [5].

In Rus', the earliest evidence of the veneration of Anastasia the Roman is the mention of her memory on October 29 in the month books of the Archangel Gospel of 1092 [6] and the Mstislav Gospel of the late - early 12th century [7]. However, her memory on October 29 is missing in the oldest lists of the Studian-Alexievsky Typikon of 1034 [8], she appears in the lists of this charter from the 2nd half of the 14th century [9]. The service to the Venerable Martyr Anastasia of Rome was included in the Menaion at the end of the 14th century [10]. In the 1st half of the 12th century in Rus', a translation of the 1st edition of the non-stichic Prologue was carried out, in which a brief life of the saint is given under October 12, and on October 29 only her memory is indicated [11]. In the 2nd edition of the unstitched Prologue, which was formed in Rus' at the beginning of the 13th century, on October 29. instead of the life of Anastasia the Roman, there is a short life of Anastasia the Pattern Maker, and under October 30 there is the life of Anastasia of Thessalonica, which is identical in content to the life of the Roman, with the exception of indicating the place of death of the martyr [12]. In the Great Menaions of the Four under October 29, in addition to the prologue lives, a lengthy life of Anastasia the Roman [13], entitled “The Life of Anastasia of Thessaloniki” [14], is included. At the beginning of the 21st century, the calendar of the Greek Churches indicates the memory of only Anastasia the Roman on October 29, while the calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church on October 30 also marks the memory of Anastasia of Thessalonica.

Relics

In the 1680-1681 inventory of the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, a reliquary with a particle of the relics of Anastasia the Roman is mentioned.
In 1860, Archbishop Modest (Strelbitsky) of Volyn brought to Zhitomir the gift of the Antiochian Patriarch Hierotheus - the head of St. Anastasia Roman. Upon his death, he bequeathed it to Zhitomir. Archbishop Anthony (Khrapovitsky), who took over the Volyn See, made sure that the head of the saint “appeared open to all Christians of the Volyn region.” And in 1903, with the permission of the Holy Synod, the head of St. The venerable martyr was solemnly transferred to the Zhitomir Transfiguration Cathedral. In the same year, Archbishop Anthony, fulfilling the will of the late Bishop Modest, opened the St. Anastasius Church in the basement of the cathedral - over the graves of Archbishops Modest and his predecessors Agafangel and Tikhon. It was here that the saint’s relics were placed in a luxurious cypress shrine, lined with silver. In 1935, St. Anastasius Church was closed and desecrated, and the relics mysteriously disappeared. But in 1941, when the temple was opened again, the head of the saint returned. After the war, the temple was closed again, and the relics disappeared under mysterious circumstances. In the spring of 1999, the convent of Anastasia the Roman was opened in Zhitomir [15].

Hymnography

According to different editions of the Studite Charter [16], on October 29, a service is performed for the Monk Abraham the Recluse and Anastasia the Roman, and the Evergetid Typikon indicates the service with Alleluia, and the Messinian Typicon indicates the dismissal general troparia for both saints, that is, the service for 2 saints without a sign. The first printed Slavic Typikon of 1610 and the Typikon, now used in the Russian Orthodox Church [17], also prescribe the celebration of services to 2 saints without a sign on October 29.

In the printed liturgical Greek and Slavic Menaions currently in use, the service of Anastasia of Rome is placed with the canon of Joseph in the 8th tone, already indicated in the Evergetid Typikon. The same Typikon indicates the body of stichera on the Lord I cried, placed in the Greek printed Menea and different from the stichera in the Slavic printed Menea. The general troparion to the martyr “Your Lamb Jesus,” found in the Slavic, but absent in the Greek printed Menea, is indicated in the Messinian Typikon. In the Greek printed Menea, according to the 6th canon of the Matins canon, the verse synaxarion of Anastasia of Rome is placed under October 12 and 29 [18].

Venerable Martyr Anastasia of Rome, Thessalonian (Thessalonian)

Kontakion 1

To the lamb and saint of Christ, the long-suffering martyr Anastasia, our quick helper and prayer book, we offer fervent singing and worship, as she has great boldness in the Lord, who frees us from all misfortunes, sorrows and illnesses, and with tenderness and love we call:

Rejoice, Anastasia, long-suffering and chosen Bride of Christ!

Ikos 1

You have become like an angel with a pure mind, having cognized the Almighty Creator, who is the eternal beginning of everything visible and invisible and the one end of the desires of all God-loving ones, but we praise your wondrous upbringing from the ascetic Abbess Sophia, crying out to you with great reverence:

Rejoice, thou who, from the days of infancy, hast in thy heart the faith of Christ;

Rejoice, three-year-old maiden, chosen and glorious in monasticism.

Rejoice, growing in the knowledge of God, with beauty of body and soul;

Rejoice, in sinful Rome, maintaining the purity and splendor of your eyes and life.

Rejoice, always invisibly guarded by the angels of God;

Rejoice, having drawn nearer to the Bridegroom Christ by your holy righteousness.

Rejoice, Anastasia, long-suffering and chosen Bride of Christ!

Kontakion 2

Having seen the radiance of your face, holy martyr Anastasia, the noble people of the city of Rome were amazed, looking at you, at your growth and your cheerful and joyful gaze, not seeing the beauty of your soul and thoughts. We, remembering you, listening at the feet of Elder Sophia to the history of the Ecumenical Church and the life of the Savior of the world, with intelligent eyes ascend from earthly things to the heavenly realm, we cry out with faith: Alleluia!

Ikos 2

You, an immaculate youth, appeared with a depth of intelligence greater than that of the worldly sages, who from childhood meditated on our Lord Jesus Christ, and you desired to please Him for spiritual deeds. Remembering your zeal for salvation for eternal life, we offer you this praise from our hearts:

Rejoice, image of purity and chastity;

Rejoice, thou who has conquered the seduction of youth's age.

Rejoice, you who enlightened the unfaithful with the light of faith;

Rejoice, you who diligently came to the temple of the Lord to pray.

Rejoice, true adornment of Christian virgins;

Rejoice, faithful prayer book to Christ God for our salvation.

Rejoice, Anastasia, long-suffering and chosen Bride of Christ!

Kontakion 3

The wondrous power of the Almighty miraculously protects you, reverend youth. as the companion of the angels and their interlocutor, you showed your holy faith and prayer before all idolaters. Truly the Holy Spirit did not say to you: “My heart is ready, my soul is ready to die for the Lord Jesus.” For this, we magnify you, we earnestly ask you: pray to save and enlighten our souls, so that with you we glorify God, the Creator of all things, and sing to Him: Alleluia!

Ikos 3

The Gospel of Christ, possessing a God-pleasing shrine, in the days of King Decius and his co-ruler Valerian under Hegemon Proves, you, blessed virgin Anastasia, you worked day and night in the monastery of Mali in fasting and labors for the Lord Christ. Many an envious and crafty enemy, with his tricks, tried to take you, Christ’s bride, away from the life of an equal with the angels. But you brought to the Bridegroom the Word, like a gift, your immaculate virginity and valiant suffering. For this reason, we cry out to you touchingly:

Rejoice, the first is greying, the second is the blood of martyrdom, like the alabaster of peace that was brought to Jesus Christ;

Rejoice, who with your strong will bore the good yoke of Christ on yourself.

Rejoice, having wonderfully preserved your pure heart from all flattery of lawless tormentors;

Rejoice, wonderful virgin of the Gospel, having a brightly burning lamp within you.

Rejoice, praiseworthy martyr, who received from the Savior Christ the divine and incorruptible crown and the power of grace-filled healings;

Rejoice, for in your contemplative soul you constantly had faith, hope, prayer and patience.

Rejoice, Anastasia, long-suffering and chosen Bride of Christ!

Kontakion 4

The wicked tormentor, Saint Anastasia, raised an evil storm of his rage against you, having seen the good-natured for about twenty years, and imputed you as a captive and a slave: but you, remembering the Lord Jesus Christ, as the Infant of God of Bethlehem, the Prophet and Youth of Nazareth, the Wisdom of the Temple of Jerusalem, a miracle miracles of the history of the world, the Savior, the Physician of human souls and bodies, You alone desired to please, singing a song of praise: Alleluia!

Ikos 4

Having always before the bright eyes of your Lord and God and our Savior Jesus Christ, you were slandered by the infidels before Hegemon Prov. Having announced this, that there is such a maiden, whose beauty is unmatched in all of Rome, she stays with some wretched and husbandless wives, does not want to have a husband, believes in the Crucified One and laughs at our aspirations. You said from the depths of your soul: “My wealth is Christ. For Him I desire to die with desire.” This luminous answer of yours to those who worship, God-wise one, ask for enlightenment from above, so we cry out to you reverently:

Rejoice, having seen with your heart the Lord Christ transfigured on Tabor;

Rejoice, as your soul trembled at the thought of the reproach, scourging, condemnation and crucifixion of the Savior of the world.

Rejoice, who kissed the icon of Christ with the crown of thorns with tears of prayer;

Rejoice, you who preached the bodily resurrection of Christ the Giver of Life with your lips.

Rejoice, thou who clearly captured the Ascension of the Lord on the Mount of Olives in the depths of consciousness;

Rejoice, you who constantly turned to Jesus Christ - endless light and life, and the refuge of the faithful.

Rejoice, Anastasia, long-suffering and chosen Bride of Christ!

Kontakion 5

With the incense of prayer and the light of knowledge of God, like a godly star, you shone in the land of Rome, Holy Martyr Anastasia. When Hegemon Prov sent his servants to bring you to human judgment, he took the flog, cut open the doors of the monastery. Then Abbess Sophia spoke these words of great intelligence and light: My child, Anastasia, pray, do not be afraid, now is the time for achievement, behold, your Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, wants to marry you, be faithful to him until death, prudently and incessantly singing: Alleluia !

Ikos 5

Your reverend Imatism, in which you prayed in the church, Saint Anastasia, is pleasing to the Heavenly Bridegroom, the King of Glory, Jesus Christ. You believed and confessed before your tormentors that the Lord Creator and Savior will not leave you. But He will lead you into His heavenly palace, having called forth all the angelic powers and all the holy faces, and will create eternal joy for you. For this reason, we also cry out to unworthiness from the depths of our hearts:

Rejoice, you who confessed to the world the all-holy name of your God;

Rejoice, you who adorned your soul with a voice of joy and psalms of exclamation.

Rejoice, most praised daughter of the highest and imperishable Jerusalem;

Rejoice, wonderful novice of the sacred teachings of Blessed Sophia.

Rejoice, having placed all your trust in the Sweetest Lord Jesus Christ;

Rejoice, through your prayers you now deliver us from all illnesses and sorrows.

Rejoice, Anastasia, long-suffering and chosen Bride of Christ!

Kontakion 6

The God-preaching blood of your honest suffering, Reverend Martyr Anastasia, testifies throughout Rome to the exploits of your holy fortress, when the Roman warriors laid iron on your neck and placed you before the hegemon; you told him: “My name is Anastasia, that is, resurrection, for God has raised me to speak the truth of faith before you.” He, imitating the boisterous Herod, does not want to understand the Lord of Glory Jesus Christ and sing to Him with you, like the sun of righteousness: Alleluia!

Ikos 6

A wonderful lamp shone among the infidels because of your confessional feat, Saint Anastasia. Hence, you illuminate our city with the quiet and wondrous light of the knowledge of God. For this reason, all the faithful offer you great praises:

Rejoice, you who diligently reflected on preserving in your mind and heart the Divine and life-giving commandments of God;

Rejoice, you who lived on the sinful earth according to the holy covenant and holy truth of the Gospel of Christ.

Rejoice, having adorned your young head with an understanding of the essence of the ultimate foundation and purpose of everything that exists;

Rejoice, for your Bridegroom, sweet Jesus, has given you strength and wisdom, which you cannot resist all ignorant truths.

Rejoice, for you always strengthen and make us happy with spiritual food, the grace-filled and everlasting word of God;

Rejoice, the Lord Lord has given you inexhaustible wealth of healing from sorrows; you have loved Him with your soul and heart.

Rejoice, Anastasia, long-suffering and chosen Bride of Christ!

Kontakion 7

Desiring to leave the world behind, you have enlightened the souls of nobility from above with endless kindnesses, O all-praised Anastasia, and you have proclaimed to Hegemon Prova: My bridegroom, and my wealth, and the life of life, and eternal joy - is my Lord, Jesus Christ, do not turn me away from Him. with your flattering words, do not deceive me, like the serpent Eve, do not separate me with the fear of torment from my Lord, for Him a hundredfold, if it were possible, I am ready to die, and to Him with the Father and the Holy Spirit, glorified in the Trinity and to the worshiped God, I sing loudly with all the saints: Alleluia!

Ikos 7

A new display of inhumanity, the rage of a fierce tormentor, when you, the Venerable Martyr Anastasia, commanded those present to beat you in the face, and tear apart your clothes, and cover your naked body with wounds, and, tied to four pillars, with fire and tar, and brimstone, and torment with stinking smoke, and to tie the wheels and tear them apart. You endured all the beatings until you were exhausted. We reverently remember this, more than your natural torment, to you, the great saint of God, we offer a song of thanksgiving:

Rejoice, for as we look upon your icon, we worship you, the most immaculate and incorruptible Bride of Christ;

Rejoice, you who endured manifold and unbearable torments for the Lord of Glory, Christ our God.

Rejoice, for in terrible agony you cried out to those praying: “Lord, my Refuge and my Defender, do not depart from me, my soul is exhausted in illness and my bones are shattered”;

Rejoice, you were soon delivered from suffering by an invisible force, and you appeared with your body whole and healthy, as everyone marveled at that glorious miracle.

Rejoice, you who preached before the judgment of the lawless the One about whom the apostolic countenance speaks in reality and to whom the prophetic council looks;

Rejoice, you who worshiped in spirit and body the One Whom the host of martyrdoms profanely confesses and the glorious army praises the glorious name of.

Rejoice, Anastasia, long-suffering and chosen Bride of Christ!

Kontakion 8

For this reason, a strange and terrible tree was prepared for you, Saint Anastasia, from Hegemon Provos, who in his malice began to torment you with other torments: he commanded, having hanged you, to cut off your ribs and torment your body. But you, luminous and most wondrous virgin, remembering the Lord Jesus Christ, endured all this courageously, raising your eyes to the one God, saying: See my illness, my bridegroom, even as I suffer for Your sake, be kind to me, so that the shedding of my blood will be pleasing to You and may I not be rejected from the face of the holy martyrs, but may I sing to You the great song, so hymned in the highest: Alleluia!

Ikos 8

Overshadowed by sweetness and the desire for eternal, unceasing, blissful union with God, you, holy martyr Anastasia, were again mutilated by the tormentor, who commanded to cut off your nipples with a razor, from which a great deal of blood came out, you were extremely exhausted and begging for water to drink. Someone from those standing near there, named Kirill, bring water and give it to you. But you, having drunk a little, said to the giver: May the reward not be deprived of the Lord according to His word: “Even if you give a cup of cold water to drink in My name, he will not lose his reward.” Remembering your glorious words and the valiant deeds of your confession, we tenderly cry out to you:

Rejoice, Saint Anastasia, filled with high and exalted wisdom of God;

Rejoice, who had angelic innocence for your clothing, the holy truth of God for food, and the bliss of the saints for your home of peace.

Rejoice, adorned with the wounds of suffering for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Rejoice, for your blood was more than a drop of honey and a honeycomb to please the Immortal Bridegroom.

Rejoice, you who open the doors of eternal life through your intercession to all who honor your illness and suffering;

Rejoice, at the outpouring of the blood of your saints, you prayed to Him, Whom the Armies of Heaven glorify, and the Cherubim and Seraphim tremble.

Rejoice, Anastasia, long-suffering and chosen Bride of Christ!

Kontakion 9

You have received the power from God to cleanse every nature of those who mourn, to awaken our spirit from despondency, and to pacify the hearts of everyone in the storms of life who cry out: O saint of God, create joy for me with your prayers. Accept, therefore, this reverent and reverent veneration offered to you, just as you received drops of water from the one who gave you drink during your grave suffering, the martyr of Christ; like her, go to the Lord. You accepted your bribe. Grant those who now praise you to be taken into the Heavenly and Divine Palace, where every soul of the righteous rejoices and sings with a grateful voice to the Father of light, Almighty God: Alleluia!

Ikos 9

A rationally florid, multi-proverbial language will not be able to praise your suffering deeds according to your heritage, holy Venerable Martyr Anastasia, who is speaking about your illnesses, when the nails from your fingers were torn out, and your hands and noses were cut off, and all your teeth were beaten, and your tongue was cut off with pincers and a river of blood flows from your mouth. You prayed with the silence of your heart: “Do not forsake me, O God, my Savior!” And all the people cried out in fear, annoying and reproaching the hegemon about his fierce and inhuman torment of the lamb and servant of Christ. We, remembering your great torment, shudder and cry out in praise with our mortal lips:

Rejoice, you who imitated the passion of Christ and were ignorant of the venerable martyrdom of the King of Glory with your blood;

Rejoice, true and good vine of the grape and the Kingdom of Christ.

Rejoice, you who surprised the stiff-necked, ungrateful people with your sacred long-suffering;

Rejoice, for in hot tears, looking at the sky, you sent your thoughts and prayers to the only Savior God.

Rejoice, for the hero Jesus Himself, the Son of God, the Lover of mankind, praised your exploits and sufferings;

Rejoice, for you are able, by gift from God, to deliver from darkness and troubles those who create your all-honorable memory with love.

Rejoice, Anastasia, long-suffering and chosen Bride of Christ!

Kontakion 10

Although you could save your soul for heaven and God, you despised the worldly foolishness of the tormentor, who, enraged, commanded you to take you out of the city, the all-blameless and praiseworthy martyr, and cut off your honorable head with a sword. And your holy body was left without burial for food by beasts and birds, but was inviolably preserved from them by God’s protection. You, ever contemplating the radiant face of Christ our God, joyfully rejoice with your soul with the angels and martyrs and all the saints, singing a song of praise: Alleluia!

Ikos 10

With your great patience, holy Venerable Martyr Anastasia, you are a wall and a firm refuge for the faithful, for at night the angel of the Lord appeared to the blessed old woman Sophia and commanded her to take your bruised body, which was lying in a field outside the city of Rome. She, having taken the clean shroud, left the monastery, and not seeing where to go, prayed to God, go and, guided by God, reach the place where your holy body was cast down, kissing the hedgehog with tears, touchingly saying:

Rejoice, my beloved daughter, who in silence and labor raised me for God;

Rejoice, beautiful virgin, who kept fasting and prayer and chastity.

Rejoice, well-praised martyr, having learned the fear of God and the law of Christ;

Rejoice, thou most admirable to the lamb in the wedding robe of immaculate virginity, who appeared to Jesus Christ.

Rejoice, adorned with the honorable blood of the Savior Christ, no longer a daughter, but my mother and mistress;

Rejoice, for you are my affirmation and quiet consolation in my old age.

Rejoice, Anastasia, long-suffering and chosen Bride of Christ!

Kontakion 11

Let us sing a hymn of praise and highly solemnity to you, holy martyr Anastasia, as a virgin and prayer book in body and soul, as the temple of God, the house of Christ and the abode of the Holy Spirit. You stood on the solid rock of heavenly hope, without being crushed by the elements of the world. You were in the bosom of the Universal Church, where in the Divine hierarchy Christ Himself is the way in the holiness of faith and in His face is the truth, and in the sacraments of grace, and in His essence is endless life. You have understood that outside the Church there is no salvation, no martyrdom; There, outside the Church, there is struggle, there is suffering, there is misfortune, but there is no martyrdom. This gift is known and illuminated by the Holy Church of God, and in it only with one mouth and one heart is sent the divine prayer of the faithful: Alleluia!

Ikos 11

Phoenix, a light-receiving and fruitful age in the Church of Christ, from your righteous and godly life, Saint Anastasia, and after your repose you shone with wondrous miracles. Behold, according to God's vision, there came two unknown men of honest vision, good conversation, and found Elder Sophia weeping over your body, helping her and collecting your severed ends, hands and feet, even there from the city of the eruption that was, and the holy head from the body she placed her place and wrapped herself in a shroud, and sang funeral songs, burying, glorifying the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We marvel at this, as God preserves the bones of his saints, and we please you, prayerfully calling:

Rejoice, baptized and consecrated in the thrice-holy name of the eternal King of the ages;

Rejoice, for your upbringing with Abbess Sophia resulted in growth and creation of the soul according to the principles of the Kingdom of God.

Rejoice, girded with God in righteousness and truth about your loins, and adorned with purity and fasting;

Rejoice, who thought about the dogmas of faith, as they do not develop, but are revealed with new breadth and greater depth.

Rejoice, for you, God’s dove and immaculate, auspicious sacrifice, appeared and reposed before the Creator and Provider of the world;

Rejoice, having received from the heavenly Master the Lord Jesus Christ a magnificent crown of glory and bliss.

Rejoice, Anastasia, long-suffering and chosen Bride of Christ!

Kontakion 12

Be a gracious intercessor before the throne of the Most High for the salvation and preservation from troubles of those who honor your holy memory, Anastasia the Martyr. Bring now a warm and holy prayer for us, sinners, to the Lord of hosts, so that, having despised all our sins, He will make us prosper in virtues, so that we may be healthy in body and spirit, let us all sing praises to the Creator and Heavenly Father, wondrous in His saints: Alleluia!

Ikos 12

You often sang the Psalms of David, this book of praise, Saint Martyr Anastasia, for the edification of the Psalter is as rich as the life of our soul is rich and varied. Love for psalmody gave birth to a glorious monastery, and all psalms reveal a single voice of thanksgiving and worship, and repentance, and glorification, and incessant prayer. You, the earthly servant of God, have access to the spiritual heaven - the teaching of Christ, where instead of the sun the Gospel shines, instead of the moon - the Old Testament and instead of the stars - the Scripture of the Fathers. For this reason, rejoicing and knowing you, our quick helper and prayer book before God, we proclaim to you:

Rejoice, you who constantly prayed the Jesus Prayer, like the breath and joy of your whole life;

Rejoice, for your venerable martyr name is glorified throughout our country from end to end.

Rejoice, for your wonderful eye, shining with a life of light from God’s Spirit, illuminates our minds and hearts with ancient and holy faith;

Rejoice, you who imitated the Savior of the world, who endured crucifixion and death, not as being powerless, but as long-suffering and abundantly merciful.

Rejoice, for you are a trustworthy intercessor and comforter to all who remember your suffering in the hour of death;

Rejoice, for from your holy and gracious image you show us invisibly help and divine powers.

Rejoice, Anastasia, long-suffering and chosen Bride of Christ!

Kontakion 13

Oh, devoted and long-suffering Bride of Christ, Anastasia, accept this present even small prayer from us who honor your holy memory. Protect us with your God-pleasing prayers from every evil situation and sorrow, so that after living a quiet and peaceful life in the vale of earth, we will inherit heavenly bliss in heaven and together with you we will be worthy of the saints of the Most Holy God to sing the eternal and endless song: Alleluia! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

(This kontakion is read three times)

Ikos 1

You have become like an angel with a pure mind, having cognized the Almighty Creator, who is the eternal beginning of everything visible and invisible and the one end of the desires of all God-loving ones, but we praise your wondrous upbringing from the ascetic Abbess Sophia, crying out to you with great reverence:

Rejoice, thou who, from the days of infancy, hast in thy heart the faith of Christ;

Rejoice, three-year-old maiden, chosen and glorious in monasticism.

Rejoice, growing in the knowledge of God, with beauty of body and soul;

Rejoice, in sinful Rome, maintaining the purity and splendor of your eyes and life.

Rejoice, always invisibly guarded by the angels of God;

Rejoice, having drawn nearer to the Bridegroom Christ by your holy righteousness.

Rejoice, Anastasia, long-suffering and chosen Bride of Christ!

Kontakion 1

To the lamb and saint of Christ, the long-suffering martyr Anastasia, our quick helper and prayer book, we offer fervent singing and worship, as she has great boldness in the Lord, who frees us from all misfortunes, sorrows and illnesses, and with tenderness and love we call:

Rejoice, Anastasia, long-suffering and chosen Bride of Christ!

Prayer to the Venerable Martyr Anastasia of Rome

Praise the virgins and glory to the martyrs, Reverend Anastasia! We fall to you in the tenderness of our hearts and pray for your intercession with the Lord for us. Even though we were not jealous of your purity and did not share your fearless confession, and moreover, by many sins and cruel falls and apostasies, the wrath of God was attracted, but we do not want to die in our sins and, looking at your courageous exploits, we take up arms against overcoming our passions. Knowing this, that apart from grace-filled help we can do nothing good, we ask this gift from the Lord to you. For you, most glorious martyr, have gained great boldness towards the Lady, for you have glorified Him in your pure soul and in your body through suffering, having despised all the seductions and rebuke of the tormentor, and having endured the eradication of teeth and nails, the torment of your breasts and hands and feet, sweetly enduring the cutting off , you boldly cried out: “Christ is my wealth and praise!” Moreover, from that wealth and our poverty, grant spiritual gifts and protect our lives from immeasurable sins, seek peace and serenity for us, protect us from need and despondency with your intercession, teach us to each other in obedience and brotherly love, and always raise the eyes of our hearts to the Lord May we always glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and your warm intercession forever and ever. Amen.

Prayers

Kontakion, tone 3

(Similar to: Virgo today:)

Anastasia, having been crowned, was purified by the waters of virginity, / of martyrdom by the blood of martyrdom, / giving healing to those in need of illnesses / and salvation to those who come from the heart, / for Christ gives you strength os,// exuding ever-flowing grace.

Iconography

In Byzantine and Old Russian art, the Venerable Martyr Anastasia the Roman and the Great Martyr Anastasia the Pattern Maker have a common depiction tradition. The name Romanynya has been preserved in a number of sources [19]. The Venerable Martyr Anastasia the Roman could be depicted in monastic vestments: a mantle and a schema [20].

In the Stroganov facial original of the last third of the 18th century, under October 29, next to the image of Anastasia the Roman holding a vessel in her right hand, it is indicated: “ Ri(z)[a] la(z)[or], from under kenova(r)[b] whitewashed

" On the engraved calendar of G. P. Tepchegorsky from 1713-1714, the saint is represented with a cross and a palm branch in her hands.

Torture and death of the great martyr

During the painful beating and abuse of her body, Anastasia sang psalms, showing amazing fortitude and courage. In a fit of rage, the torturers cut out the tongue of the holy martyr. They brought her naked in front of the crowd and began to torment her body. They stretched him between four pillars, cut off his nipples, knocked out his teeth, pulled out his nails, and then cut off his arms and legs.

One of the Christians present in the crowd named Kirill gave the holy martyr some water when she was completely exhausted from unbearable torment, and was immediately executed.

The people who had gathered for this spectacle, unable to bear the terrible torment of the holy virgin, began to be indignant. The unrest threatened to develop into a riot. Then Prov ordered Anastasia to be beheaded and her torment came to an end. The holy soul finally united with her beloved Bridegroom, to whom she had so longed throughout her short life on earth.

The headless body of the martyr was thrown somewhere far outside the city limits to be devoured by wild animals. But the Lord preserved the remains of the saint. He revealed to Abbess Sophia where to look for the tortured body of her pupil. The abbess and two Christian assistants found the saint's body and buried it.

Anastasia Romanynya. Life in the monastery

During the reign of King Decius in 249-251, when Probus was the military commander, there was a little-known secluded nunnery not far from Rome. Several fasting women labored there, among whom was the virtuous Abbess Sophia. At one time, she greeted the blessed virgin Anastasia from the city of Rome, who was three years old without a father and mother. Sofia raised the girl herself and taught her all the virtues. In her labors, exploits, and fasting, Anastasia was the most righteous, the best in the monastery. At the age of twenty she became a real beauty. The fame of her beauty reached Rome; many citizens of noble families wanted to marry Anastasia. But the holy virgin honored Christ and became his bride. She spent day and night in prayer and did not want to give her virginity to anyone. More than once the devil tried to take the virgin away from her equal-angelic life, tempted her to pleasures in the world, confused her with wicked thoughts, deceits, and his other tricks. But the serpent was in no way able to seduce Anastasia; the power of Christ’s faith protected her.

Having no power over the virgin, the devil sent cruel earthly tormentors to her. In those days, severe persecution of Christians began. The warring, unbelieving pagans slandered the virtuous maiden before the military leader Provos. Having come to this wicked man, they said that Anastasia the Roman lived in the monastery - a beauty like no other in the world, but she mocked and rejected all honest husbands, considering herself the bride of the crucified Christ.

Interesting Facts

Since 1903, the head of Anastasia was kept in the Zhitomir Transfiguration Cathedral. In 1935, during troubled times of persecution of believers, the church was desecrated and closed, and the relics mysteriously disappeared. In 1941, by some miracle, the temple was opened, and the relics of the saint returned here. Anastasia the Roman seemed to have become a protector of believers. After the war, the cathedral was closed again, and the relics were lost again.

Anastasia the Roman is often confused with the holy virgin Anastasia the Pattern Maker, as well as with Anastasia of Rome. This is the reason for the inaccuracies in the depiction of the venerable martyr on some icons.

Anastasia's strong faith

To all the instructions of Abbess Sophia, Anastasia the Roman of Solunskaya answered that she was ready to go to the end in order to prove her love for Christ. I am ready to endure all the trials and torments of the body in order to be reunited with my heavenly groom.

The servants waited for Anastasia for more than two hours. Without waiting, they burst into the church and saw that the virgin was not dressing up in finery, but was talking tenderly with her mother. They grabbed her then, put her in chains and took her to the city to the commander. She stood in front of him and directed her gaze to the sky, her lips whispering a prayer. Everyone was amazed at her beauty.

Prov suggested that Anastasia renounce the crucified and accept worldly life. They immediately promised her to find a worthy husband, so that she could live in wealth and glory, give birth to children, and enjoy earthly blessings. To which the virgin firmly assured that she was not seduced by this offer, she would never renounce her faith, her heavenly groom Jesus Christ. And if it were possible, she would have suffered for him a hundred times.

Mother Sophia's instructions

Hearing stories about the beauty of the girl, Prov sent soldiers to the monastery to bring her. They immediately went there and broke down the doors with axes. The frightened novices fled, but Mother Sophia did not let Anastasia out. She told the virgin that her time had come, she must accept the crown of martyrdom for her groom Christ. She took care of her and raised her from the age of three only for her wedding with the Lord.

Sofia came out to the rushing soldiers and asked who they were looking for. To which they replied that they needed Anastasia the Roman, the military leader Prov was waiting for her. The abbess asked for time to gather the girl and dress her up so that the master would like her. The servants believed them. Sofia, meanwhile, adorned Anastasia not with worldly clothes, but equipped her with spiritual beauties. She led her into the church, placed her in front of the altar, and with tears began to inspire her with the idea that the virgin had to show her true faith and love for the Lord, to become Christ’s faithful bride. Anastasia had to avoid being seduced by fame and gifts. She should not be afraid of temporary bodily torments, which will lead her to eternal peace. The palace of her groom opened before Anastasia, a crown was woven for her, and let her, stained with blood, having experienced all bodily torments, appear before her Lord. Sophia bequeathed to her disciple to stand firmly for the faith, not to spare life, then her soul will ascend.