December 30

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Saint of the day:

Saint Anysia,  

the Righteous Virgin Martyr of Thessaloniki

 

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Saint Anysia

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"The Holy Virgin Martyr Anysia lived in the city of Thessalonica during the reign of the emperor Maximian (284-305). Upon the death of her parents, who had raised her in Christian piety, St Anysia sold everything she owned, distributing her riches to the poor, and she began to lead a strict life of fasting, vigil, and prayer.

 

[Fervent in her love for Christ, she often said: ``Oh, how false is the life of youth, for you either scandalize or are scandalized. Better is old age; but sorrow overcomes me because of the length of time that separates me from heaven.''...When sleep overcame her she would say to herself: ``It is dangerous to sleep while my enemy keeps vigil.''

 

During his persecution against Christians, Maximian issued an edict stating that anyone had the right to kill Christians with no fear of punishment. Soon there were many bodies to be found in cities, towns, and by the roadside. Once, when St Anysia was on her way to church, a pagan soldier stopped her and demanded that she come along to the festival of the sun to offer sacrifice. St Anysia gently pulled herself away from him. When he soldier boldly grabbed her and attempted to tear the veil from her head, she shoved him, spit in his face and said, "My Lord Jesus Christ forbids you!"

 

In anger, the soldier ran her through with his sword. Those gathering over her body wept and loudly complained against the cruel emperor for issuing an edict that resulted in the death of many innocent people. Christians buried the martyr near the city gates, and a chapel was built over her grave."

 

www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/my.html?month=December&day=30

www.ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=10369

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anysia_of_Salonika

http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2009/12/st-anysia-virgin-martyr-of-thessaloniki.html

https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1480

 

Visit

 

Basilica of Saint Demetrios,

Thessaloniki, Greece

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