The Christmas Saint

 Merry Christmas to all of my readers! Because we're in the season of Christmas, I thought I'd introduce you to a special Christmas saint, whom I learned more about thanks to the author, Susan Peek. 

A Special Saint: 

Christians around the world know that Christmas when we celebrate the birth of Our Lord. In the Catholic Church, there are many feast days celebrated leading up to Christmas and during the Christmas Season, but many haven't heard of the saint whose feast is on Christmas day. St. Nicholas is a common Christmas saint, as well as St. Stephen and St. Lucia. 

This saint is one of the female saints commemorated in the Canon of the Mass too. Any guesses?

• St. Felicity
• St. Perpetua
• St. Agatha
• St. Lucia
• St. Agnes
• St. Cecilia
• St. Anastasia

(credit)

The answer is... (drumroll)... St. Anastasia of Sirmium. Because she lived so long ago (during the time of Diocletian's persecutions of Christian people), her entire life is thought to be legendary. We do know, however, that she was a martyr. 

St. Anastasia's father was a very rich pagan, but her mother was a devout Catholic and is a saint. Her father's name was Praetextatus and her mother was St. Fausta of Sirmium. Without her father's support of the Christian faith, her mother baptized her in secret and raised her as a Christian. 

After her mother's death, life only got harder; she no longer had her mother for support. Praetextatus forced her into marriage to a pagan, Publius, but she continued to live her Christian life in secret. She visited prisons and cared for the sick, until her servant found out. As you can imagine, Publius did not like this so she was locked up. She was happy to suffer for the love of Christ. She also stayed strong through her trials by writing letters to her Christian teacher, St. Chrysogonus. 

Eventually, St. Anastasia became a widow after Publius's death. Once again, she began to help the poor by giving her property to the poor and suffering and visiting prisons. She often helped those suffering from poison during her lifetime and through intercessions, giving her the name "Anastasia Deliverer from Potions". 

Many attempts were made to martyr St. Anastasia, but God protected her and set her free. Eventually, she met another widow, named Theodota. Both continued to help the poor, while spreading Christian messages. Diocletian hated the miracles and good deeds and wanted her martyred. First, Theodota was martyred, but Anastasia survived 60 days of starvation. According to the legend, St. Theodota fed St. Anastasia. Another time, Diocletian tried to drown her, but St. Theodota appeared to the prisoners and led the boat back to shore. St. Anastasia's martyrdom occurred on December 25 in 304 AD, after being burned alive on an island.  

Although her whole life is legend, much of it is believed to be true because it is all found in a "Passio" written shortly before the 6th century. Her life and faith was so great that she is not only commemorated in the Canon of the Mass, but also in the second Mass on Christmas Day. 

I encourage you to read "The Forgotten Christmas Saint: Saint Anastasia", by Susan Peek. Although it is a children's picture book, it is full of excellent information and great illustrations! 

Patron of: weavers, martyrs, widows, those suffering from poison

St. Anastasia, pray for us! 

Are you familiar with St. Anastasia? 

-Miss K