Tahsas 26 — January 04

Saint Anastasia, Who Loved Jesus With All Her Heart

Today we remember a brave woman named Saint Anastasia (say it like "Ah-nah-STAH-zee-ah"). She lived long ago in the great city of Rome.

When Anastasia was a tiny baby, her mother, who loved Jesus, quietly had her baptized. That means she was washed with holy water and welcomed into God's family. Day and night her mother taught her about God, and Anastasia grew to love Jesus so much that nothing could ever change her heart.

Anastasia was very kind. While her family was busy, she would slip away to visit people who had been locked up just for believing in God. She brought them food, helped them, and cheered them up. She loved to give. When she had things of her own, she shared them with people who were poor and hungry, because she wanted to help everyone she could.

The leader of the city heard about Anastasia and asked her, "Do you believe in Jesus?" Anastasia stood up tall and answered, "Yes! I am a Christian." The leader promised her all sorts of gifts if she would stop loving God. But Anastasia would not trade God for anything in the whole world.

Because she would not stop loving Jesus, unkind people tried to hurt her. Once they put her into the deep sea, and God lifted her right back out, safe and not hurt at all. He took such good care of His brave friend. Anastasia kept loving God all the way to the end, no matter what they did, and that is what we call a martyr. She was never afraid, because she knew she was going home to be with God forever in heaven.

Saint Anastasia teaches us to be brave, to keep loving God, and to share kindly with everyone, just as she did.

"Yes! I am a Christian."— Saint Anastasia, when the leader asked about her faith

They put her into the deep sea — but God lifted her right back out, safe and not hurt at all.