Anastasius of Egypt

Holy Martyr Anastasius of Egypt is commemorated together with the martyrs Julian the abbot, Celsus, Antony, the martyrs Basilissa the abbess and Marionilla, seven children and twenty soldiers. They are commemorated on 21 January.

Saint Julian was born in the Egyptian city of Antinoe and, at his parents' wish, married a rich and noble maiden, Basilissa. In marriage the spouses remained virgins. After their parents' death they built two monasteries, one for men and one for women, took the monastic habit and were abbot and abbess of the two houses. In the time of Diocletian Saint Julian suffered fiercely for the faith of Christ and, by his courage, turned to Christ Celsus, the son of his tormentor, the governor Marcian, and Marcian's wife, Marionilla. By raising a dead pagan, the saint won him as well. The converts received Baptism from the priest Antony, and the pagan was named Anastasius at Baptism. After imprisonment, all received the crown of martyrdom, being beheaded with the sword. With them twenty soldiers and seven children died as martyrs.