Martyr3rd century

Martyr Anastasia of Thessalonica

3rd century (died c. 256–259)

Also known as Anastasia

A Christian woman associated with Thessalonica who endured tortures during the Roman persecutions and was executed in Rome.

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Life

Anastasia of Thessalonica was a Christian woman of the third century, associated with Thessalonica, who was put to death in Rome during the Roman persecutions of the Church.

According to the Orthodox tradition preserved in the Synaxarion, she lived during the persecutions attributed to the emperors Decius, Gallus, Valerian, and Diocletian, and was executed in Rome between 256 and 259 after enduring many tortures.

Few biographical details survive beyond the brief synaxarion notice; she is venerated as a martyr and commemorated on October 30. She is distinct from Anastasia of Rome, commemorated on October 29, and from Anastasia the Deliverer from Potions (Pharmakolytria), commemorated on December 22.

Kontakion & Troparion2 hymnsReadHide

KontakionTone 2

(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”) You appeared as a bright star announcing Christ with your radiance,
which is repulsive to this world, O Martyr Anastasia;
extinguishing the allure of false gods,
you enlighten the faithful,
always interceding for us all.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

TroparionTone 3

Your holy martyr Anastasia, O Lord,
through her sufferings has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God.
For having Your strength, she laid low her adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through her intercessions, save our souls!

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

Timeline3 momentsReadHide

3rd centuryLife during the persecutionsAnastasia lived in the second half of the third century, during the Roman persecutions of the Church attributed to the emperors Decius, Gallus, Valerian, and Diocletian.
c. 256–259Martyrdom in RomeAfter enduring many tortures, she was executed in Rome, an event the tradition dates to between 256 and 259.
October 30CommemorationShe is commemorated as Martyr Anastasia of Thessalonica on October 30, alongside other saints of that day.

Contributions & Legacy

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Historical Context

The synaxarion situates Anastasia's martyrdom in the period of the mid-third-century persecutions. Her recorded date of death, between 256 and 259, falls within the Valerian persecution (253–260), during which the emperor Valerian issued imperial edicts ordering Christian clergy to sacrifice to the pagan gods, forbidding the use of cemeteries, and later commanding the execution of bishops and senior church officials and the stripping of titles from Christian senators and equestrians.

That same period produced a number of well-known martyrs, including Pope Sixtus II, the deacon Lawrence, Cyprian of Carthage, and Denis of Paris. The persecution ended in 260, when Gallienus succeeded Valerian and revoked the anti-Christian legislation.

Identity and Distinctions

Because several early saints bear the name Anastasia, the tradition is careful to distinguish them. Anastasia of Thessalonica, commemorated October 30, is held to be a different person from Anastasia of Rome, commemorated October 29, and from Anastasia Pharmakolytria, commemorated December 22.

Surviving hagiographic detail for Anastasia of Thessalonica is limited. She has no dedicated entry in general reference works beyond the brief synaxarion notice, which records her association with Thessalonica, her endurance of many tortures, and her execution in Rome.

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Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints