Anastasia, Saint (d. about 860)
Anastasia, Saint (d. about 860)
Christian saint. Name variations: Athanasia. Born and lived on the island of Aegina.
Though Anastasia had looked forward to the life of a religious from childhood, her wealthy parents forced her into an advantageous marriage. But when the island of Aegina was attacked by Moors from Spain, her husband was killed in its defense. As a series of wars had depopulated the island, the government issued edicts against celibacy, and Anastasia was forced to marry a second time. Her new husband was as wealthy and generous as she, and their home became a refuge for the poor. He stayed home to minister to the unfortunate, while Anastasia sought out the poor who were too proud to request help. Eventually, her husband became a monk and left her all his possessions. Anastasia gathered companions to her home and trained them for the religious life; then, with the help of a priest called Matthias, she went with them into the wilderness of Timia. There, she built her convent, which she directed until her death around 860. Reputedly, Anastasia corresponded with the empress Theodora the Blessed (fl. 842–856). Anastasia's feast day is August 14th.