Anastasia of Sirmium facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Anastasia
Modern Orthodox Christian icon of Saint Anastasia the Great-Martyr
Virgin and martyr
Born	281 AD Rome
Died	December 25 A.D. 300 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	December 25 (Catholic) December 22 (Orthodox)

Saint Anastasia was an early Christian saint who died around December 25, 304 AD. She is known as a Christian martyr, meaning she died for her Christian faith. She passed away in a place called Sirmium, which is now part of modern Serbia.

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, she is called St. Anastasia the Pharmakolytria. This long Greek word means "Deliverer from Potions" or "One who Cures (Wounds)". People believed she could help protect them from poisons and heal them.

Not much is known for sure about Anastasia's life. Most stories about her were written many years after she died. These stories say she was either from Rome or Sirmium and came from a rich family. One legend says her father was Praetextatus and her teacher was Saint Chrysogonus. Some Catholic traditions say her mother was St. Fausta.

Anastasia has been honored for a long time as a healer and someone who could help people get rid of evil spirits. Her relics (parts of her body or belongings kept as holy objects) are in the Cathedral of St. Anastasia in Zadar, Croatia. She is one of only seven women, including Mary, the mother of Jesus, whose names are mentioned in a special prayer during Catholic Mass.

Her Story

Many stories about Saint Anastasia tell us more about her life and how she became a martyr. One popular legend says that Anastasia was a Roman woman. She was taught by St. Chrysogonus.

During a time when Christians were being persecuted (treated badly) by the Roman Emperor Diocletian, Chrysogonus was taken to a city called Aquileia and was killed for his faith. Anastasia then traveled from Aquileia to Sirmium to visit other Christians.

The legend says that Anastasia was beheaded (had her head cut off) on an island called Palmaria on December 25. Her body was buried in a house that later became a church.

While these stories are very old and inspiring, historians say that the only certain fact is that a Christian woman named Anastasia died for her faith in Sirmium. Her memory was kept alive in that city.

Churches and Veneration

A church in Rome, called Sant'Anastasia al Palatino, was built a long time ago, possibly by a Roman woman also named Anastasia. Later, this church became dedicated to Saint Anastasia of Sirmium. This church is very old and important in Rome.

Honoring Saint Anastasia in the West

In the Western Christian world, especially in the Catholic Church, Saint Anastasia's name is remembered on December 25. This is also Christmas Day. For a long time, there was a special church service on Christmas Day that honored her. Her name was also added to a very important prayer during the Mass.

Her relics were moved to Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) in the 5th century. Later, St. Donatus of Zadar brought some of her relics from Constantinople to Zadar, Croatia.

Honoring Saint Anastasia in the East

The Eastern Orthodox Church honors Saint Anastasia as a Great Martyr. They often call her "Anastasia the Deliverer from Potions" or "Anastasia the Healer." This is because people believe her prayers can protect them from harm, like poisons. Her special day in the Eastern Orthodox Church is December 22.

In the 5th century, her relics were moved to Constantinople, and a church was built there in her honor. Later, some of her relics, including her skull, were moved to a monastery in Greece. Sadly, in 2012, these relics were stolen and have not been found.

See also

In Spanish: Anastasia de Sirmio para niños

• Saint Anastasia of Sirmium, patron saint archive

Images for kids

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  A model of Sirmium in Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia

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  Great Martyr Anastasia, the Deliverer from Potions (Byzantine icon, 14th-15th century, State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg, Russia)