Great Martyr Anastasia, “Deliverer from Bonds” and her teacher, Martyr Chyrsogonus, and with them Martyrs Theodota, Evodias, Eutychianus, and others, who suffered under Diocletian

According to her Passion, Anastasia was a noble Roman lady who learned the faith from the confessor Chrysogonus. Her pagan husband Publius kept her under guard, but after his death she gave her wealth to the poor and traveled to help Christians in prison, tending their wounds and paying for their needs. Hence her Slavonic title, “Deliverer from Bonds”; in Greek she is called Pharmakolytria, “Deliverer from Potions”.

Chrysogonus was beheaded at Aquileia. Anastasia was arrested in Illyricum and burned at the stake at Sirmium about 304; the widow Theodota, Evodius, Eutychian and many others died in the same persecution. Her relics were brought to Constantinople in the 5th century.