Saint Great Martyr Anastasia the Deliverer († c. 304) suffered during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. She was born in Rome to a senator named Pretextatus. Her father was a pagan, while her mother, Fausta, was a secret Christian who entrusted her daughter's upbringing to Saint Chrysogonus. Anastasia, preserving her virginity, secretly visited Christian prisoners, helping them. Her husband, Pomplius, treated her cruelly, but after his death, she continued to serve those in need.
Saint Chrysogonus was sent to Aquileia for trial, and Anastasia followed him. After his martyrdom, she strengthened three young Christian women before their tortures and buried their bodies. While traveling, the saint received the gift of healing and continued to help the imprisoned. Soon, she was arrested and brought before the emperor, who ordered the priest Ulpian to persuade her to offer pagan sacrifices. Anastasia chose torture, and the priest, touching her, became blind and soon died.
The saint was again imprisoned and tortured with hunger, but continued to receive comfort from Saint Theodotia. Soon, they attempted to drown Anastasia, but she and the other prisoners were saved by a miracle. After this, she baptized 120 people who believed in Christ. Upon learning of this, the governor ordered the execution of all the newly baptized, and Saint Anastasia was stretched over a pyre. Thus, Saint Anastasia the Deliverer completed her martyrdom.
The body of the saint remained unharmed and was buried by a pious Christian woman named Apollinaria, who built a church over her grave.
