St. Anastasia Biography

Most of the life of St. Anastasia is know from the "Victories of the Martyrs" written by St. Alphonsus de Liguori. According to his writings, the following biography are the know facts about St. Anastasia.

St. Anastasia Baptized a Christian

St. Anastasia's mother was a Christian and her father was a noble pagan. St. Anastasia grew up to be a Roman noble and was secretly baptized and raised a Christian by her mother.

St. Anastasia Marries

St. Anastasia married Publius, a Roman noble. He was a pagan and when he found out that Anastasia was a Christian, he became cruel and abusive to her. He secluded her from others, keeping her imprisoned in her own home. St. Anastasia happily accepted her plight, especially when Publius treated her like a slave because she could offer her suffering up for her devotion to Jesus Christ. Publius died unexpectedly when he travelled to Persia as the ambassador.

St. Anastasia Comforts Persecuted Christians

After the death of her husband, St. Anastasia brought the love of Jesus to other suffering Christians, especially those in prison.

She rushed to the aid of her spiritual father, St. Chrysogonus when he was imprisoned. St. Anastasia offered whatever help she could during his trial. During the year that St. Chrysogonus was in prison, he taught the way of Jesus to fellow prisoners and converted many of them. St. Anastasia helped him in the pursuit of converting the prisoners to Christianity.

St. Anastasia Arrested

On Nov. 24, St. Chrysogonus, the beloved confessor of St. Anastasia was beheaded along with all the other Confessors. St. Anastasia grieved openly saying, "I weep because I have lost my brethren, who have been cruelly put to death."

St. Anastasia was arrested and taken to Florus, the prefect. Florus sent St. Anastasia to Emperor Diocletian. The emperor was unsucceful in his attempt to convince St. Anastasia to reject Christianity and returned her to Florus.

Florus brought Anastasia to Upian who also tried to persuade her to reject Jesus Christ. Once again, St. Anastasia refused saying, "I am a Christian, and am anxious to die for Jesus Christ. From me thou shalt never get any other answer."

St. Anastasia was eventually burned at the stake in 304 A.D. by Florus, suffering a martyr's death.

St. Anastasia Revered by Catholics

Today, Catholics remember St. Anastasia and the sacrifice she made for Jesus Christ by wearing a St. Anastasia medal. Not only does this honor St. Anastasia but it is an outward symbol of faith in Jesus Christ. By wearing a St. Anastasia necklace, Catholics profess their faith openly, just as St. Anastasia did.

A St. Anastasia pendant is the ideal medal for all Christians, symbolizing faith in Jesus and the courage to spread His word.