Iconographer: Michael Father
Commemorates on: January 22
Saint Anastasius was a Persian by race, the son of a Magus, and a soldier in the Persian army, in the days of Chosroes II, King of Persia, and Heraclius, Emperor of New Rome. The Saints Persian name was Magundat. When Chosmes captured Jerusalem in the year 614 and took the Precious Cross away captive, Magundat heard the report of the miracles that came to pass through the Wood of our salvation. Being of a prudent mind, perplexed that an instrument of torture should be so highly honoured by the Christians, yet seized with longing to learn their Faith, he diligently sought out instruction in the whole divine dispensation of Christ, His Incarnation, Passion, and Resurrection; when he learned what he sought to know, his soul was filled with wonder and joy. Withdrawing to the Holy City, he was baptized by Saint Modestus, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and became a monk, receiving the new name of Anastasius. As he read the lives of the Saints and the accounts of the holy Martyrs, his heart was kindled with love for them to such a degree that he prayed to be counted worthy of a martyric end like unto theirs. Finally, unable to contain his longing, he left his monastery and, encountering certain Persian Magi at Caesarea, he rebuked them for their delusion. Since Palestine was still held in the captivity of the Persians, he was taken before the Persian ruler, questioned, beaten, and imprisoned. He was then taken with other captives to Persia, where, after many tortures, refusing to espouse again the error of his fathers, he was hanged up by one hand, strangled with a noose, and beheaded. The translation of his holy relics is celebrated on the 24th of this month.