Saint Anysia, a devout Christian, lived in Thessalonica during Emperor Maximian’s rule (284-305). Following her parents’ demise, who had instilled in her deep Christian faith, Anysia sold all her possessions and gave the proceeds to the poor. She then embarked on a life marked by fasting, vigil, and prayer.

Anysia was deeply passionate about her faith. She often reflected on the transitory nature of youth, expressing a preference for old age and lamenting the temporal distance from the afterlife. She was wary even of sleep, seeing it as a vulnerability against her spiritual ‘enemy’.

Emperor Maximian, during his reign, intensified the persecution of Christians. He issued a decree allowing the killing of Christians without any legal repercussions. This led to widespread violence and the deaths of many Christians in various places.

An incident occurred when Anysia was on her way to church. A pagan soldier confronted her, insisting she participate in a sun festival and offer sacrifices. Anysia refused and tried to leave, but the soldier aggressively tried to remove her veil. In a bold act of defiance, she pushed him away, spat in his face, and proclaimed her allegiance to Jesus Christ.

This act of resistance infuriated the soldier, who then killed her with his sword. Onlookers who gathered around her body mourned her death and openly criticized the emperor for his harsh decree, which had led to the loss of many innocent lives. Christians later buried Anysia near the city gates and erected a chapel over her grave to honor her martyrdom.

Photo credit: Dr. med. Detlef Bihn via Wikimedia Commons
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10 COMMENTS

  1. I so love sharing daily, The Saint of the Day. I never get more than one or two likes but I continue to do it for my mostly Catholic friends in the hope that someone, someday will be inspired to give our Catholic Faith a second chance. God bless you all and may all have a Happy and Peaceful Christmas Season and New Year. ???

    • God bless you Linda. The words quoted of the saint really speak to me today. You’re not alone Linda, we’re just all separated at the moment with digital computer walls. I think about a lot of my friends too. It bums me out how they haven’t any faith, or if they do, it’s guided by the wind. Then a person I don’t know much, comes up to me after church, tells me about some woman whose son died of cancer. The kid’s name was Jared. I think of my struggles, then I think of Jared, who is literally an implicated thought in my head, for, I don’t know Jared, and never met or saw a picture of him. But, I smile too, for, although many people, even people we love, squander their one life to live, inexcusably ignoring the world-famous RSVP of The Lord Jesus Christ, I know we will have friends in Heaven, who suffered the same, in Christ, with us. People who suffered differently than that guy. All sufferings come to an end. To die young of cancer. All death is tragic. When a man and woman divorce, and one of the two is completely torn in half cause of it. It’s tragic. We all suffer differently. A man died in a car accident not long ago. I knew who he was. He was engaged to be married. I just got dumped long ago, but though long ago, still fresh in wound. I wondered why it couldn’t have been me? God has a plan. Meanwhile, mourn more than you moan, and be truthful at all times, and even when uncertainty is kicking you in the shins, never forget, and always remember, Jesus.

      • I thank The Lord my daughter is coming to live with me even though she has not been a practicing catholic she still believes and we will go to mass every morning Thank You Lord for your kindness, The Lord will live in our home..

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