Holy Martyr Anysia (+285–305)

The holy Martyr Anysia lived in the city of Thessalonica in the reign of the Emperor Maximian (284–305; 307–311). Her parents, pious and noble Christians, brought her up in faithfulness to God’s commandments. After their death the blessed one distributed all her property to the poor and began a strict ascetic life.

At that time the Emperor Maximian issued an edict according to which anyone could kill a Christian and take possession of his property. Once, when Anysia was on her way to church to pray, a pagan soldier stopped her and demanded that she offer sacrifice to an idol. The saint answered him with a calm refusal. The enraged soldier drew his sword and ran the holy martyr through on the spot. The Christians buried the holy martyr near the city gate, and built a house of prayer over her grave.