December 25 is also the Feast of Saint Anastasia (ah-nah-stah-see-ah). The Greek word anastasis means resurrection. Counted among the girl-martyrs of the early Christian persecutions, we might remembering hearing her name in the second half of the First Eucharistic Prayer (aka The Roman Canon).
Not much is known about her. Anastasia died on December 25, 304 in Sirmium (modern day Serbia) during the Diocletian persecutions. Her marriage was arranged to a non-believer. Her husband turned abusive when he was told of her charity to the poor, her visiting prisoners and her attentions to the sick. She has wonderful titles: Anastasia, Deliverer from Potions (Poisons); Anastasia, the Healer; Anastasia, Deliverer from Bonds.
Anastasia's arrest, trial, imprisonment, and torments to death are standard fare as saint's stories go. More importantly, the witness she leaves us today is that of a young woman (little more than a girl) who leaned in and ferociously stood her ground against abuser-men who couldn't abide her self-knowledge and defense of her life choices.
We might have a long look at this 14th-15th century Byzantine icon of Anastasia with its earth-toned background — perhaps unintentionally reflective of a young woman who knew herself and stood her ground. My: Prayer Before the Icon of St. Anastasia, follows. Of course, you are invited to add your own lines.
Her cross for endurance,
Her gaze for visioning through the dark night.
Anastasia's mantle for our covering,
Her sparked mantle for our enlightenment,
Her ointment jar for the healing of our sickness.
Anastasia's beauty for our wonderment,
Her witness for our recovery,
Her silence for dreaming.
Anastasia's legend for our hastening,
Her icon for our dwelling,
Her shared Christmas feast for our re-birth.
Fr. Stephen P. Morris
