Anysia of Thessalonica
Anysia of Thessalonica | |
|---|---|
.jpg) The assault and murder of Saint Anysia by the soldier, from the Menologion of Basil II, 10th century | |
| Martyr | |
| Born | 284 Thessalonica, Macedonia, Roman Empire |
| Died | 304 Gate of Cassandra, Thessalonica, Macedonia, Roman Empire |
| Venerated in | Eastern Orthodox Church Roman Catholic Church |
| Canonized | Pre-Congregation |
| Major shrine | Basilica of Saint Demetrios, Thessaloniki,  Greece |
| Feast | 30 December</ref> |
| Attributes | Veil, cross |
Saint Anysia of Thessalonica (Greek: Άγία Άνυσία) (d. c. 304)[1] was a Christian virgin and martyr of the 4th century. She was born of pious and affluent parents[1][2][3] who "raised her in Christian piety".[4] They died when Anysia was young, leaving her their wealth, which she distributed to the poor,[1][2][3] choosing to live "a strict life of fasting, vigil, and prayer".[4]
Anysia's biography is related by Symeon the Metaphrast in a volume of his work published in 947;[1] according to hagiographer Alban Butler, Anysia's story lacks historical confirmation.[2] During the Diocletianic Persecution, Anysia was on her way to church, but was stopped while passing through the Cassandriote Gate by a soldier, who insisted that she tell him where she was going. In her fright, she made the sign of the cross on her forehead and when she admitted that she was a Christian, he began to force her to make sacrifices to the Roman gods. They struggled and he tried to remove her veil; she spit in his face in defiance. In anger, he killed her by running her through with his sword. The Christians buried her near the gate; when the persecution ended, they built a chapel over her grave.[1][2][3][4]
Anysia is venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church in countries under Byzantine influence;[2] her feast day is December 30.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Dunbar, Agnes B.C. (1905). A Dictionary of Saintly Women. Vol. 1. London: George Bell & Sons. p. 79.
- ^ a b c d e Butler, Alban (1990). Thurston, Herbert J.; Attwater, Donald (eds.). Butler's Life of the Saints. Vol. 1. Westminster, Maryland: Christian Classics. p. 462. ISBN 0-87061-0457.
- ^ a b c d "Memory of Saint Anysia of Thessaloniki". Orthodox Times. December 30, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Virgin Martyr Anysia at Thessalonica". Orthodox Church in America. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
