SAINT FEAST DAY 30 DECEMBER: ST ANYSIA

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN DECEMBER

Saints celebrated on the 30th of December

WELCOME!

SAINT ANYSIA, MARTYR

Whilst the governor Dulcitius carried on a cruel persecution at Thessalonica to deter the Christians from holding religious assemblies, in 304, in the reign of Maximian Galerius, a Christian young lady, called Anysia, of rich and noble parents, by whose death she was left an orphan, resolved to go to the assembly of the faithful. 

As she passed by the gate of Cassandra, one of the emperor’s guards, who happened to see her, was taken with her beauty, and stepping before her said: "Stay, whither are you going?" 

"WHO ART THOU, AND WHITHER ART THOU GOING?"

Saint Anysia startled at his insolence, and fearing a temptation, made the sign of the cross upon her forehead. The soldier, offended at her silence, seized her, and asked her roughly, "Who art thou, and whither art thou going?" 

"I am," said she, "a servant of Jesus Christ, and am going to the Lord’s assembly." 

"I will prevent that," said he. Saying this, the soldier drew his sword, and ran it through her body, so that it came out on the other side. She fell down immediately, trembling, and bathed in her blood, and there expired. Her name occurs in the Roman Martyrology on December 30. 

From Fr Butler's Lives of the Saints 

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Anysia may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.