Anysia of Thessalonica
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Saint Anysia of Thessalonica (Greek: Άγία Άνυσία) (d. c. Template:TrimScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".)[1] was a Christian virgin and martyr of the 4th century. She was born of pious and affluent parents[1][2][3] who "raised her in Christian piety".[4] They died when Anysia was young, leaving her their wealth, which she distributed to the poor,[1][2][3] choosing to live "a strict life of fasting, vigil, and prayer".[4]
Anysia's biography is related by Symeon the Metaphrast in a volume of his work published in 947;[1] according to hagiographer Alban Butler, Anysia's story lacks historical confirmation.[2] During the Diocletianic Persecution, Anysia was on her way to church, but was stopped while passing through the Cassandriote Gate by a soldier, who insisted that she tell him where she was going. In her fright, she made the sign of the cross on her forehead and when she admitted that she was a Christian, he began to force her to make sacrifices to the Roman gods. They struggled and he tried to remove her veil; she spit in his face in defiance. In anger, he killed her by running her through with his sword. The Christians buried her near the gate; when the persecution ended, they built a chapel over her grave.[1][2][3][4]
Anysia is venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church in countries under Byzantine influence;[2] her feast day is December 30.[3]
References
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