Venerable Anthusa the Virgin (+801)

The Venerable Anthusa (+801) was the daughter of the iconoclast Emperor Constantine Copronymus (741–775) by his first marriage. She and her brother, the future Emperor Leo the Khazar (775–780), were twins, born on 25 January 750. The empress had a difficult labour. Constantine Copronymus brought back from exile the venerable abbess Anthusa (commemorated 27 July) and asked her to pray. The Venerable Anthusa foretold the birth of twins and their future. The daughter was given her name in honour of the venerable mother. When Anthusa grew up, the emperor urged her to marry, but the saint firmly resisted her father’s wish. After Constantine’s death she gave away all her wealth to the poor and to orphans. Leo the Khazar’s wife, the pious Empress Irene (780–802), treated Saint Anthusa with love and respect and even invited her to be co-ruler, but earthly honour did not attract Saint Anthusa. In the palace she wore sackcloth under her rich garments.

Saint Anthusa was tonsured a nun by the holy Patriarch Tarasius (784–806). The venerable mother founded in Constantinople the Omonoia monastery, known for its strict rule. The abbess was herself an example to others: she did the hardest tasks, cleaned the church, carried water, and served the sisters at table. She paid particular attention that no one should leave the monastery without necessity. The humble and obedient ascetic lived fifty-two years and reposed in peace in 801.