Lives of Saints - Holy Martyr Anisia

You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery;' but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna. If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna. 'It was also said, 'Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,' but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery. 'Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,' but I tell you, don't swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God; nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can't make one hair white or black. But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'No.' Whatever is more than these is of the evil one. 'You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'* But I tell you, don't resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and don't turn away him who desires to borrow from you. 'You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor,* and hate your enemy.*' But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven.

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	Lives of Saints - Holy Martyr Anisia

Holy Martyr Anisia

Saint Anisia was born in the Greek town of Thessalonica at the end of the 12th century. Her rich parents were devout and kind. They brought Anisia up in the spirit of Christianity. Orphaned in her young age, Anisia inherited a rich estate – many slaves, vast lands and much gold and jewelry.

Christians were persecuted severely at that time. By the order of emperor Maximian (284-305) all the Christians refusing to denounce Christ and make sacrifices to pagan gods were tortured and executed. Anyone could kill a Christian and get away with it unpunished. Knowing that it is hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, St. Anisia freed her slaves, sold her property and began to help widows, orphans, paupers and the imprisoned. St. Anisia not only helped them with money, but also looked after the sick, bandaged the wounds of the martyrs and consoled the sorrowful. When all of her money was spent, she became so poor that she had to start working in order to have food for herself. But she continued to visits prisons and comfort the aggrieved.

One day on her way to a meeting of Christians St. Anisia saw big crowds of people hurrying to the pagan temple of the god of the Sun. She shunned the loud crowd and continued her way, but one of the soldiers noticed her and asked her who she was and where she was going. She humbly replied, "I am a servant of Christ and I am going to my church."

The soldier grabbed her rudely and wanted to force her to join the crowd, so that she would be compelled to make sacrifices to a pagan idol there. St. Anisia broke away from him saying, "Lord Jesus Christ forbid you!" Having heard the name of the Lord which he hated the furious pagan struck her with his sword. St. Anisia fell dead to the ground. Thus the young saint gave her innocent soul into the hands of Jesus. Christians buried the body of the martyr in Thessalonica near the town gates.

Troparion:
O Jesus Christ, Anisia, Thy lamb, is crying out to Thee: loving Thee and seeking Thee, my Bridegroom, I suffer crucifixion and burial for Thy baptism, and martyrdom for Thee, as I triumph in Thee and die for Thee, and live in Thee. Accept me as an unblemished sacrifice, consecrating myself with love to Thee. Through Thy prayers save our souls, as you are merciful.

Source: http://www.fatheralexander.org

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