Anastasia of Sirmium
Anastasia | |
|---|---|
Modern Orthodox Christian icon of Saint Anastasia the Holy Great-Martyr | |
| Virgin and martyr | |
| Born | 281 AD Rome |
| Died | 25 December 304 AD Pannonia Secunda (modern Serbia) or Palmaria |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church Oriental Orthodox Churches Eastern Catholic Churches Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Canonized | Pre-Congregation |
| Major shrine | Cathedral of St. Anastasia, Zadar |
| Feast | 25 December (Catholic) 22 December (Greek Orthodox) 28 September (Syriac Orthodox) |
| Patronage | Pharmacists, Doctors, apothecaries, healers |
Saint Anastasia (died 25 December 304 AD) is a Christian saint and martyr who died at Sirmium in the Roman province of Pannonia Secunda (modern Serbia). In the Eastern Orthodox Church, she is venerated as St. Anastasia the Pharmakolytria, i.e. "Deliverer from Potions" (Ἁγία Ἀναστασία ἡ Φαρμακολύτρια). This epithet is also translated as "One who Cures (Wounds)" in Lampe's A Patristic Greek Lexicon.
Concerning Anastasia, little is reliably known, save that she died in the persecutions of Diocletian; most stories about her date from several centuries after her death and make her variously a Roman or Sirmian native and a Roman citizen of patrician rank. One legend makes her the daughter of a certain Praetextatus and the pupil of Saint Chrysogonus. Catholic tradition states that her mother was St. Fausta of Sirmium.
Anastasia has long been venerated as a healer and exorcist.
She is one of seven virgins and martyrs who, along with Blessed Virgin Mary, are commemorated by name in the Roman Canon of the Mass.