Mother Superior
Venerable Anthousa lived in Mantineia of Paphlagonia in Asia Minor in the eighth century. She left her parental home at an early age and at first practiced ascetic labors in solitude, dwelling in caves. After meeting the elder Sisinius, she continued her ascetic struggle under his guidance and attained such spiritual heights that ninety virgins entrusted themselves to her spiritual direction.
Venerable Anthousa suffered during the reign of Emperor Constantine Copronymus, who sought to force the saint to renounce the veneration of holy icons.
For refusing to obey the imperial command, Venerable Anthousa was subjected to tortures. The emperor’s wife was present at the torment, and the saint foretold to her the birth of a boy and a girl. When the emperor’s wife later gave birth to a daughter, she was named Anthousa. When the prophecy of the martyr was fulfilled, she was released and allowed to return to her monastery, where she reposed in deep old age. Having lived a life pleasing to God, she was received by the Lord into the company of the saints.
