Saint Anastasius of Persia

Today the Church commemorates Saint Anastasius of Persia. Originally named Magundat, today’s saint was a soldier in the army of Chosroes when that monarch carried what he believed to be the relics of the Cross from Jerusalem to Persia. Anastasius asked about Jesus, and having heard the Gospel he became a Christian, left the army, and returned to Jerusalem to become a monk. He changed his name to Anastasius when he took his monastic vows. After seven years of the monastic observance, he felt moved to leave the monastery and share the Gospel.

Reproaching his countrymen for their magic and fire-worship, both of which he had once practised, he was taken prisoner, cruelly tortured to make him deny Christ, and finally carried down near the Euphrates, to a place called Barsaloe, where he was tortured again. At the same time, the king promised him great rewards if he would deny his faith. Finally, seeing his unwillingness to recant, the King martyred Anastasius and seventy others in the year 628.

Prayer of the Day

God our redeemer, your Church was strengthened by the blood of the holy martyr Anastasius. Bind us, in life and death, to Christ's sacrifice so that that our lives, broken and offered with his, may carry his death and proclaim his resurrection in the world. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.