Devotion to St. Anastasius

Anastasius, the Persian youth, like another Stephen, opened the way to martyrdom in Carmel, in 628. He served in the militia of Chosroes, and when, after the taking of Jerusalem, the Holy Cross was being translated to Ctesephon, the capital of Persia, Magundat (such was his pagan name) wanted to know what it was, and after repeated questioning understood that it was the Cross upon which the God of the Christians died Moved by grace, he left the army to become a Christian, a Monk, and a Martyr He was baptized Anastasius in honor of the Resurrection of Jesus, such being the meaning of the name The details of his martyrdom were recorded by an eye witness, and prove not only his courage, but his love. His persecutors strangled his companions before his eyes, saying “Do you too wish to perish like these unfortunate men? accept honors and you are free!” He replied, “I hope to be cut in pieces for the love of Jesus Christ. You threaten me with death, thank God that for so light a suffering He lets me share the glories of His martyrs.” His head was cut off and brought to the King, in proof of his death, January 22, 628.

The miracles which followed were so numerous, that the Second Council of Nicea paid him the following eulogy: “At the sight of the relics, or the image of St Anastasius, the demons are put to flight, and the sick are cured.” After this testimony, the pious custom was established of wearing a picture of the head of the Saint, as a preservation from sickness and the snares of the devil, and of placing it in houses and on the breasts of the dying, to sustain them during their last conflict. Such a picture is almost invariably found in the Infirmaries of Carmel, bearing the solemn words of the Council, in order that the Religious may remember to invoke their first glorious Martyr when death is near, and like him enter through the Cross into the Resurrection of Christ.

Source: “Carmel, Its History, Spirit, and Saints” (NEW YORK: P.J. KENNEDY & SONS, 1927), p. 239.