Saint Anthousa was the daughter of wealthy pagan parents from Seleucia. As she grew older, she desired to learn about Christianity. She approached Saint Athanasius, the bishop of Tarsus in Cilicia, was baptized and became a nun. For twenty-three years she lived as an ascetic in the desert, until she peacefully completed her earthly life.
Saint Athanasius was later arrested and brought before Valerian. Although he was threatened and ordered to worship the idols, he courageously refused. As a result, he suffered a martyr’s death, enduring torture before finally being beheaded.
The Church commemorates these two saints on August 22.
