SAINT ANASTASIUS AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS - 11 MAY

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MAY

Saints celebrated on the 11th of May

SAINT ANASTASIUS AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS

Saint Anastasius, called Cornicularius (which under the emperors meant a civil servant, assistant) was married to Theopista, by whom he had four sons (Saints Esodes, Aradius, Calistus, and Felix) and two daughters (Saints Euphemia and Primitiva). Devoted pagans all their lives, they were eventually sanctified together with three servants (tres ex familia) by Saint Porphyry. 

The holy man instructed them in the faith, baptised them and encouraged them to martyrdom, which they also endured under Emperor Decius. Before it was their turn to be rewarded with the martyr's crown, they had witnessed the heroic death of Saint Porphyry, Saint Venantius and other saints at the hands of the pagans and had seen for themselves the miracles which God wrought. Because of these saints' testimony, Anastasius and his Companions remained deeply inspired and strong in the faith unto death. They are mentioned in the Roman Martyrology* on May 11.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 1, Augsburg, 1858, p. 183)

*A hagiography source used by the authors 

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saints Anastasius Cornicularius, Theopista, Esodes, Aradius, Callistus, Felix, Euphemia, Primitiva and Companions 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.

Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org