Anysia of Salonika
Appearance
Anysia of Thessaloniki | |
---|---|
The assault and murder of Saint Anysia by the soldier, from the Menologion of Basil II, 10th century | |
Martyr | |
Born | 284 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece |
Died | 304 by the gate of Cassandra |
Venerated in | Eastern Orthodox Church Roman Catholic Church |
Canonized | Pre-Congregation |
Major shrine | Basilica of Saint Demetrios, Thessaloniki, |
Feast | 30 December[1] |
Attributes | Veil, cross |
Saint Anysia of Salonika was a Christian virgin and martyr of the 4th century. Anysia was born to a wealthy and pious Christian family in what is now Thessaloniki. She dedicated herself to vows of chastity and poverty, praying and helping the poor.
Background
[edit]The legend of her martyrdom states that, in 304, a Roman soldier apprehended her as she was on her way to Mass. Discovering she was a Christian, he beat her, and intended to drag her to a pagan temple to sacrifice to Roman gods. When he tore off her veil (a reminder of her vow of chastity), she spat in his face, and he murdered her.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ "St. Anysia at Thessalonica | Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese".
- ^ Jones, Terry. "Anysia of Salonika". Patron Saints Index. Archived from the original on January 1, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2007.