07 works, Today, December 22nd, is Martyr Anastasia's day, her story, illustrated #354

Unknown iconographer

Anastasia of Sirmium, End of XIII century - first half of XV century

Byzantine Icon

Tempera on wood

Size - 99 x 65.5 cm

 The State Hermitage Museum,  St. Petersburg

Holy Great Martyr Anastasia the Widow, the Deliverer from Potions, was born in Rome to a wealthy and prominent family; the daughter of Praetextatus, a Roman vir illustris, the highest ranks within the senates of Rome. Though her father was a pagan, her mother Fausta instructed her in the things of God. Her father married her against her will to Publius, a prodigal and impious man lacking in Christian or pagan virtue. Anastasia was in the custom of dressing herself as a poor working woman and going out by night to visit and comfort the many Christians in prison, during the time of Diocletian's persecutions. When Publius discovered this, he was furious that his wife was demeaning herself by consorting with the despised Christians, and had his wife locked in the house with so little food that she came close to death by starvation. 

Michele Giambono, (1400–1462)

Saint Chrysogonus on horseback, circa 1450

Oil on panel

Height: 199 cm (78.3 in); Width: 134 cm (52.7 in)

San Trovaso, Venice, Italy

Michele Giambono, original name Michele di Taddeo di Giovanni Bono, (born c. 1400, Venice—died 1462, Venice), leading Venetian Late Gothic painter and mosaicist, the most distinguished member of a large family of artists working in Venice from 1396 to 1546.

Only a few fully authenticated works by Giambono are extant. Among his few signed works are a large polyptych, or multi-panel altarpiece, in the Academy in Venice, and a Madonna in Rome. After the death of Jacobello del Fiore in 1439, Giambono was made director of the mosaic works in St. Mark’s Basilica, where he composed the mosaics on the left side of the vault in the Mascoli Chapel, representing the Birth of the Virgin and the Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple. More on Michele Giambono

She was able to get a letter to her spiritual father Chrysogonus, who was also in prison, and their correspondence helped to sustain her through her ordeal. After three months her husband died in a shipwreck and she regained her freedom. Immediately she redoubled her work for the suffering Christians and their families, devoting all her time and wealth to their comfort and care.

Unknown artist

Emperor Diocletian

I have no further description, at this time

One day Diocletian declared that all Christians in his prisons should be slain, and his command was carried out in one night. The next day Anastasia came to visit her beloved companions and, learning that all were dead, fell sobbing by the gate, no longer caring to conceal her Christian faith from anyone. Almost immediately she was arrested and brought before the authorities, who subjected her to every form of abuse. One prefect offered to marry her if she would bow to the idols, but to have her tortured to death if she would not. When she was unmoved, he attempted to rape her, but was struck blind and died miserably. 

Unknown iconographer

Saint Theodoti and her three children

Icon

I have no further description, at this time

She then briefly escaped to Nicaea and found refuge with the pious St Theodota, but was seized again along with Theodota and her children. After further trials and torments Anastasia, Theodota and her children, and others who had been converted to Christ through Anastasia's example, were executed, were beheaded on the island of Palmaria.

Unknown iconographer

The Holy Great-martyr Anastasia the Deliver from Bonds, and others with her

Illustration

Menologion of Basil II. Vatican Library

Another legend reads that Saint Anastasia was stretched between four pillars and burned alive. A certain pious woman named Apollinaria buried her body, which was unharmed by the fire, in the garden outside her house.

Tzortzi (Zorzis) Fuka

Anastasia burned alive, c. 1547

Fresco

Athos (Dionysios). 1547 g.

I found no information on Tzortzi (Zorzis) Fuka

Saint Anastasia's relics were taken to Rome, where a church was built in her honor. The relics were later translated to Constantinople and placed in another church bearing her name, where they worked many miracles. Because she has healed many through her prayers from the effects of poisons and potions, she is called Pharmocolytria, "Deliverer from Potions." More on Great Martyr Anastasia

Unknown iconographer

Martyr Anastasia's Vita scene

Icon

I have no further description, at this time

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