By Bishop Grigorios of Mesaoria
The Orthodox Church commemorates today Great-martyr Anastasia the “Deliverer from Potions”, her teacher, Martyr Chrysogonus, and her three children who also gave up their souls to the Lord.
Saint Anastasia is a very important martyr for the Orthodox Church. She lived at the time of Diocletian’s persecution of Christians and she was a child of a prominent, wealthy family from Rome. She converted to Christianity at a young age. When her parents gave Saint Anastasia in marriage to a pagan named Publius, she revealed her faith to the Lord.
Her husband tried many times to force her to reject Christ, but she remained steadfast in Him. She was devoted to preaching the word of God and taking care of the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned Christians. Her missionary work, her steadfastness when she was in prison, and her martyrdom, that to have been burned alive, converted many people to Christianity. The relics of Saint Anastasia help many people who are hurt or traumatised to be cured and find salvation.
Source: Church of Cyprus