Akathist to St. Anastasia Pharmakolytria (The Deliverer from Potions)

St. Anastasia the Great Martyr and Pharmakolytria (The Deliverer from Potions) (source)

Akathist to St. Anastasia Pharmakolytria (The Deliverer from Potions)

Note: The service below is a translation found online from the Russian text. I edited it for grammar and readability, but without having knowledge of Russian or access to that text, there may some significant changes compared to the original text. May the Saint bless, protect and heal all those who are suffering throughout the world!

Troparion, Tone 4

The true namesake of the victorious Resurrection are you called, O martyr of Christ, who were victorious over your enemies with patience, on behalf of Christ, your Bridegroom, Whom you loved, pray to save our souls.

Kontakion, Tone 2

Those who are amidst the temptations and sorrows of life hasten to your temple, and are granted gifts from the Divine grace that lives in you, O Anastasia: do grant speedy healing for the world.

Kontakion 1

To the chosen saint of Christ, the all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, we bring praiseworthy singing, as she who has much boldness to the Lord, deliver from all troubles, sorrows and illnesses, the faithful who cry out freely with love: Alleluia.

Ikos 1

You have become like an angel with a pure mind, having had your mind upon Him, Who is the Creator of all visible and invisible creation, eternal from the beginning and the One desired by all the righteous; we, praising your wise teaching from the holy martyr Chrysogonus, cry out with love:
Rejoice, you who loved the faith of Christ;

Rejoice, you who followed the piety of your mother Fausta.

Rejoice, you who preserved the purity of your virginity;

rejoice, you who were always guarded invisibly by the angels.

Rejoice, for you have drawn near to God by your purity;
Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 2

Saint Anastasia, beholding the many Christians suffering in dungeons for the name and teachings of Jesus Christ, began to serve them with zeal, but was helped by God to comfort and heal them, singing with reverence: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

O godly-wise Anastasia, you reasoned that this whole world is passing vanity and corruption, and for this, you despised precious clothing and possessions, and secretly clothed beggars, entering the dungeons to serve as a confessor of Christ; we follow her in our minds, and we appeal to her with love:
Rejoice, imitator of Christ;

Rejoice, visitor of prisoners in the dungeon.

Rejoice, consoler of the confessors of Christ;

Rejoice, you who have spent your gold and silver on them.

Rejoice, by them who have acquired the Kingdom of Heaven;

Rejoice, you who washed the hands and feet of the saints and cleaned their hair.

Rejoice, you who healed their ills and honestly buried their bodies; 

Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 3

Strengthened by power from above, holy martyr, you blessedly served the saints, and shamed the hater of every virtue the devil, enduring enslavement from your impious husband; we, praising your goodness, Anastasia, sing along with you: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Have great love in the Lord for all who suffer for the Name of Christ in dungeons; we, marveling at her courage, crying to her:
Rejoice, chosen bride of Christ;

Rejoice, diligent keeper of the commandments of Christ.

Rejoice, for you have fulfilled this not in words alone, but in deeds;

Rejoice, you who were ready to lay down your life for your friends.

Rejoice, for you have received much bitterness for Christ;

Rejoice, for you have become like a strong diamond through your patience. 

Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 4

Your husband held you like a captive and a slave, O Saint Anastasia, and raised up a storm of fury against you, as an impious tormentor; we, remembering the bitterness from him and your suffering, sing to the Lord who strengthened you: Alleluia.

St. Anastasia Pharmakolytria (source)

Ikos 4

Hearing, O Blessed Anastasia, that your holy teacher Chrysogonus had endured much for Christ, you followed him with your sufferings and secretly sung to him: "Teacher, I will die with you, and nothing else remains, if you let go of the spirit, I will fall dead beside you." We, wondering at your patience, say these things:
Rejoice, you who did not spare your honest flesh;

rejoice, you who spent days and nights at the feet of Christ.

Rejoice, you who wished to spend your wealth on God for the sake of the poor;

Rejoice, the one who works wisely.

Rejoice, one who has the care of those who suffer in bonds;

Rejoice, you who entered the Heavenly mansion eternally. 

Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 5

Like a godly star you appeared in the land of Rome, O great martyr Anastasia, and you visit those who suffer for Christ in dungeons and in their hearts confirm their faith, but they ever cry with you to God, the Savior of all: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Seeing your God-bearing teacher Chrysogonus in persecution by this world, you commanded yourself, like the Prophet [David], to cry out: "Why are you downcast? Trust in God." (Psalm 43) we, remembering your grief and sorrow for your teacher, call out to you: 

Rejoice, you who have placed all your trust in the Lord;

Rejoice, you who endured the oppression of the earthly kingdom for the sake of the Heavenly.

Rejoice, through your purity, you have been honored to live in heaven with the Angels;

Rejoice, you who draw near to God through your sorrows.

Rejoice, for through your prayers you deliver us from many sorrows;

Rejoice, for by your intercessions you free from temptations. 

Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 6

The whole Christian world preaches your honest exploits, Great Martyr Anastasia, and glorifies your sufferings, praises your martyrdom and sings to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

You shone greater than the sun with your virtues in the great city of Rome, when the prediction of your teacher, Holy Chrysogonus, about the death of your godless husband was fulfilled. Freed by God, you began to care for the martyrs of Christ with increasing zeal; we, looking with love at your deeds, say to you these things:
Rejoice, zealous helper for the suffering;

Rejoice, you who comforted the friends of Christ with divine words.

Rejoice, who had great care for the three virgins: Agapia, Chionia and Irene;

Rejoice, for you have strengthened those for the trial of martyrdom.

Rejoice, you who bore grief in your mind;

Rejoice, you who made your heart a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice, you who were completely consumed by the fire of love for God;

Rejoice, for through your blood you have found His heavenly mansion.

Rejoice, for you have brought down the enemy of salvation through your courage; 

Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 7

The desire of holy Chrysogonus, the martyr, to die for Christ, was fulfilled with God's Providence: when you saw the honest relics of your passion-bearer teacher, kissing them kindly, you cried, from the depths of your soul you offered a song to God: Alleluia.

St. Anastasia Pharmakolytria (source)

Ikos 7

Our Lord has given you a new grace and power, when you had perceived a calling to pass from city to city, visiting those sitting in chains. We, following your wandering, sweetly cry to you:
Rejoice, follower of the footsteps of Christ;

rejoice, servant of many saints.

Rejoice, you who were taken aback by Christ's purity;

Rejoice, glorified great martyr.

Rejoice, icon of your name-sake;

Rejoice, free cleansing of the faithful through your gold from the bonds of prison.

Rejoice, through your prayers you deliver us from the bonds of sinfulness;

Rejoice, you who sends forth healing to the sick.

Rejoice, for you raise up those near death by God's command; 

Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 8

Your wandering with the holy martyr Theodota was a gift for many: for the sick the gift of healing, for many who have died, you prepared burial, for those living, the strengthening of deeds of virtue; make us worthy, we who are unworthy, O saint, through your prayers, to chant with our reason to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

All the rooms of the dungeon were filled with your much weeping and wailing, when you came early according to your custom and did not greet even one prisoner, because that night, for the name of Christ, all those who were set aside by the command of the evil king, were all given death; we, remembering your grief for God's friends, cry out like this:
Rejoice, for you diligently searched for the servants of Christ in the dungeons;

rejoice, servant who found those in the Heavenly mansion.

Rejoice, you who had taken up the Lord's Cross with love on her body;

Rejoice, you who were honored everywhere to see the stripes of the Lord Almighty with intelligent eyes.

Rejoice, for through your love for your neighbors, you have acquired great boldness towards God; 

Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 9

Though you were threatened with wicked torture, O invincible passion-bearer, for denying the idols, you fearlessly cried out to them: "I am the servant of Christ, and I sing to Him day and night: Alleluia."

Ikos 9

The chief priest of the idols has spoken with you, that with flattery he might catch your holy soul; But you, having learned of all the cunning of the enemy, shamed the tormentor and transformed all evil to good, unquestioningly gazing at the instruments of torment and all the tortures; we, marveling at your courage, cry out with tender voices:
Rejoice, you who voluntarily left this whole, fleeting world;

rejoice, you who longed to receive various torments for Christ.

Rejoice, for you had chosen to go unto death with love;

Rejoice, for you astonished the tormentors with your patience.

Rejoice, for you have adorned the Church of Christ with your sufferings;

rejoice, you who trampled the demons under your feet. 

Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 10

Save all the people who desire you, help them with your prayers before the Lord, O great martyr, and ask for remission of the sins of those who honor your suffering, and who cry out with you: Alleluia.

St. Anastasia Pharmakolytria (source)

Ikos 10

Saint Anastasia, you loved the Heavenly King with all your heart, and were thrown into prison on behalf of the Sweetest Jesus, crawling with hunger and melting away with thirst, you were strengthened by prayer; we, glorifying your great suffering, chant unto her these things:
Rejoice, follower of the passion of Christ;

rejoice, you who were adorned with victorious glory.

Rejoice, praise and glory of pious wives;

Rejoice, for you have transformed an earthly dungeon into the Heavenly Hall.

Rejoice, you who settled down there with the martyrs;

Rejoice, you who remember us by your prayer at the Throne of God.

Rejoice, speedy breaking of the bonds of sin;

Rejoice, you who drive away demons from people. 

Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 11

We offer our all-heartfelt singing to you, glorifying your suffering for Christ, and we pray to you: holy passion-bearer, ask the merciful Lord for all people for health, longevity and victory over enemies. But to us, who praise your torments, give peace and salvation, as we sing unto God forever: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

You followed with a bright and joyful face the suffering prepared for you by the tormentors, with a song with joy we cry out:
Rejoice, you who didst endure drowning in the sea by God's might;

Rejoice, you who were stretched out by your tormentors upon four pillars and thereby become like the Son of God Crucified on the Cross.

Rejoice, you who were burned with fire even unto death;

Rejoice, rich treasury of healings.

Rejoice, abundant vessel of the gifts of God;

rejoice, abundant performer of all good blessings.

Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 12

Grace from above is sent down to all of us, flowing with love from the container of your relics, and we ask the Lord for forgiveness of our sins, and to those who are sick and suffering healing, and in thanksgiving, we all cry out God, Who is wondrous in the Saints: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing of the feats of your torments freely endured for Christ, we bow down to your sufferings, O great martyr,  and we honor your holy death and pray to thee: extend your help from heaven to us also, living in the darkness of passions and temptations, crying to you:
Rejoice, holy great martyr, who offered her body as a godly sacrifice in many different martyrdoms;

rejoice, dove, flying up to the Jerusalem on high.

Rejoice, pure and blameless bride of Christ;

Rejoice, spiritual censer, bringing incense to God for us.

Rejoice, for those who honor your memory and your sufferings have you as a mirror of the God-pleasing life;

Rejoice, you who speedily heal mental and bodily diseases.

Rejoice, bright image of life for all who hope to achieve a Christian end; 

Rejoice, all-blessed Great Martyr Anastasia, holy visitor and intercessor for our souls in prison.

Kontakion 13

O long-suffering and delightful, holy great martyr Anastasia! Receive our present little prayer from your unworthy servants, brought to you with love, and ask Christ God for the remission of our sinful bonds, and, through your prayers, may we escape God's wrath and eternal condemnation, and may we be rewarded in the Kingdom of Heaven with you forever, chanting to God: Alleluia ...

(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)

St. Anastasia Pharmakolytria (source)

Prayer to the Holy Great Martyr Anastasia

O long-suffering and wise great martyr of Christ Anastasia, you stand with your soul in heaven at the throne of the Lord, and on earth, by the grace given to you, you perform various healings. Look with mercy on the people who are coming and praying before your relics, asking for your help: stretch out your holy prayers to the Lord for us, and ask us for the remission of our sins, healing for the sick, for the grieving and needy aid; pray the Lord, that He may He give all of us a Christian end and a good answer to His Terrible Judgment, that we may be honored with you to glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

(source)

St. Anastasia Pharmakolytria (source)

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

St. Andrew the Fool-for-Christ's Vision of St. John the Theologian

St. John the Apostle, Evangelist and Theologian (source)

  
This is an excerpt from the life of St. Andrew the Fool-for-Christ (see the Great Synaxaristes for the full life of the Saint in English). When he began to act like a fool after God's call, his master thought that he had become possessed, so he had him bound with chains, and placed in the holy church of St. Anastasia the Deliverer-from-Potions in Constantinople, which was known for its many miracles and healings. What is moving about this passage is the speedy help of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian, and the vivid depiction of spiritual warfare. St. John is not physically "flogging" the bodiless demons, but the demons experience this punishment when coming into contact with the great love, purity and humility of the Triune God and of His Saints. May the Lord protect and defend us all from the demons, through the prayers of His Holy Ones!
  
St. Andrew the Fool-for-Christ's Vision of St. John the Theologian

All of that day, bound as he was, [the Blessed Andrew] did not eat anything. That night, at midnight, as he was praying mystically to God and to the Martyr [St. Anastasia], the devil appeared to him visibly, appearing as a [dark being]. Together with him was a multitude of demons. Some were carrying pickaxes, others knives, others sticks and clubs, swords and spears, and others ropes. That dragon was the general. Because of this, many demons had come with him, in order to darken the blessed one. The [dark being], therefore, was foaming at the mouth. In this manner, the demons charged against him.

 

Then, the blessed Andrew lifted up his hands and cried out with tears to God: “Lord, do not cast to the beasts the soul that confesses You!"

 
And immediately, he added: “O St. John, Apostle and Evangelist, Beloved Theologian, help me.”
  
At that instant, from on high was heard the roaring of thunder*. And an Elder with large eyes appeared, whose face shown like the sun! Many were following him. He made the sign of the Cross in the air, and told those with him: “Lock the doors, so that none might escape!”
  
Those with him [i.e. the Angels] speedily seized all the demons. As they were all locked within the church, the demons cried to each other: “How dark is the hour that we are experiencing! John is strict and will torture us terribly.”
  
That precious Elder gave a command to his attendants to take the chain from the neck of the blessed Andrew. He took it, and stood outside the door and cried out: “Bring each of them to me.”
  
And they brought him the first one. “Lay him down,” he said.
  
Then, he folded the chain of the blessed one in three, and gave around 100 strikes to the demon, who cried out like a man: “Mercy, mercy, have mercy on me!”
  
Later they laid out and terribly flogged the second, followed by each of the demons. When the blessed Andrew heard the word “mercy”, he began to laugh. It appeared to him that the demons were bound and flogged perceptibly just like men. In reality, however, God was flogging them. And he was flogging them with such an astonishing beating, such that human nature couldn't bear it.
  
He who was flogging them cried out: “Go now to your father, to satan, and show him the predicament that you are in and see if it pleases him...”
  

When all of the [dark beings] disappeared, that precious Elder approached the servant of God, and put the chain back on his neck, telling him: “Do you see how quickly I came to help you? I greatly care about you, because God commanded me to care for your salvation. Have patience, so that you might everywhere appear to be worthy. Soon, your master will remove you from your bonds, so that you might go free where you will.”

  
“Tell me, O Lord,” the blessed Andrew asked, “who are you? I don't recognize you.”
  

“I am John,” he replied, “I reclined upon the spotless and life-giving bosom of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

  
As he said this, he disappeared like lightning from before his eyes. He remained ecstatic, and glorified God, because He helped him and delivered him from those evil demons that had surrounded him. He prayed, therefore, and said:
“O Lord Jesus Christ, great and unsurpassing is Your power, and greatly glorified is Your compassion, for strangely and wondrously did you have mercy on and take care of your humble servant. O exalted and almighty Lord, ever protect me on Your true way, and make me worthy, O greatly-merciful Master, O awesome and incomprehensible One, to find grace near You.”

  

*Note: St. John the Theologian and his brother St. James were called the "Sons of Thunder" by Christ.

  

(amateur translation of excerpt from the full life of the Saint in Greek, published by Parakletos Monastery, Oropos)

  

St. Andrew of Constantinople, the Fool-for-Christ (source)

  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

Excerpt from the Paraklesis to St. Anastasia Pharmakolytria

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!

St. Anastasia the Great Martyr and Pharmakolytria ("Deliverer-from-Potions") (http://pravicon.com/images/sv/s0162/s0162018.jpg)

    

Note: To the sorrow of the whole Church of Christ, on April 23, 2012, the Holy and Wonderworking Skull and Right Foot of St. Anastasia, the Great Martyr and Pharmakolytria ("Deliverer-from-Potions") (along with other Holy Relics), were stolen from the Patriarchal Monastery that bears her name outside of Thessaloniki. 
(http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2012/04/relics-of-st-anastasia-pharmakolitria.html)
  
The Holy Relics have been treasured and protected by the Monastery for 1100 years, until their theft (or as the Metropolitan discusses in the video linked to below, "abducted", as through the Holy Spirit, they are as a living individual). For a video of the Monastery and the Holy Relics, while the Metropolitan of Milteus discusses this tragedy (in Greek), see: http://www.amen.gr/index.php?mod=news&op=article&aid=9242.
  
Below I include the megalynaria from the Paraklesis to St. Anastasia (amateur translations from the full Greek text), that we might be mindful of this tragedy, pray for forgiveness of our many sins from the Resurrected Lord, and entreat Him for the return of the Holy and Grace-filled Relics of His great servant and martyr.
  
Excerpt from the Paraklesis to St. Anastasia Pharmakolytria (amateur translation)
The adornment of Virgin-martyrs, and the inexhaustible treasury of healings, the bride of the Lord, the treasury of graces, O chaste Anastasia, we hymn you.

Hail, O spirit-filled meadow of virginity, which brings forth the joyous flowers of martyrdom, whose fragrance ever fills our minds with rejoicing, O chaste Anastasia.

Hail, you who struggled manfully on behalf of the love of Him Who died upon the Cross, therefore taking up His calling, ever preserve us.

Hail, O lamp of wonders, which shines with the rays of compassion, and drives away the darkness of passions, O glorious Anastasia, the help of the faithful.

Hail, O divine provider, who freely grants your total protection to those who ask, O chaste Anastasia: deliver us from every danger.

Raise up my soul, O Martyr from the abyss of sins in which I have terribly slipped, and lead me who praises you on the roads of repentance, O Martyr Anastasia.

Come, O faithful, let us praise Anastasia, the beautiful and wondrous bride of Christ, and martyr of the Lord, who is wondrous with the beauty of purity.

The Deliver-from-potions of the faithful, who is arrayed in the golden raiment of virginity and martyrdom; let us all praise Anastasia with hymns.

Come, O brethren, let us praise our common father, and the hierarch of Christ, the great Theonas, and the protector of this Monastery, the truly wondrous one and God-bearer.

Your sacred skull, the faithful venerate with fervor, in your Monastery the bears your name, and we richly receive all healings, O chaste Anastasia; we therefore hymn you.

A priceless treasure and spring of healings, your Monastery treasures, O Anastasia, through your right foot, through which you drive away sicknessess, for those who praise you.

You are the hymn of every rank of monastics, with the abbot who hymns you piously, O noble Anastasia, and we praise you with fervor, the guardian and protector of your chaste place.

Your famed Monastery, has become a radiant repository of saints: Theophano the Great, the queen and ruler, and Theonas the righteous and arch-shepherd.

All those who hasten to you on to you, on your famed Mountain and Monastery, grant to them, O chaste Anastasia, the Grace of healings, and unfailing deliverance.

(http://www.agiooros.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=4043)
  

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs, bestowing life!

Truly the Lord is risen!

A Miracle of Sts. Anastasia and Basil, and the Theotokos in the Life of St. Irene Chrysovalantou

A Miracle of Sts. Anastasia and Basil, and the Most-Holy Theotokos in the Life of St. Irene Chrysovalantou

"A noble and beautiful woman from Cappadocia, the home-city of St. Irene, was engaged to a certain man. Later on, however, she thought better of it and decided against marriage. She decided instead to become a nun at the famed monastery of Chrysovalantou. The demon grew jealous, however, and filled her ex-fiancé with tremendous sexual passion. However, the man knew well that he would not be able to enter the monastery. Instead, he hired a powerful magician, a most able servant of the devil to whom he gave him a large amount of money for the deliverance of the woman he wanted as his wife. The magician wrought his evil art in Cappadocia and the woman in the monastery went completely out of her mind. She began to run around the convent screaming and crying out the name of her ex-fiancé and swearing that if they did not open the doors of the convent she would suffocate. Our venerable mother heard the uprise and cried, "Woe to me the wretched one, if by the carelessness of the shepherds the wolves snatch the sheep away. However, in vain do you labor, O sly devil, because Christ will not allow you to swallow my lamb." She then called the sisterhood together and instructed them to guard themselves against the snares of the demons and she ordered them all to fast for the entire week while praying to God and each one of them to make a thousand prostrations a day with tears for this sister of theirs who was undergoing temptation.

Icon of the Theotokos of Blacherna (Icon courtesy of www.eikonografos.com used with permission)

Our venerable mother prayed in her cell daily for this sister and on the third day, she saw St Basil the Great in front of her and he said to her, "Why do you deride us, Irene? We have left our homeland and all the vile and impious acts take place there now. When the sun rises take your sick disciple and bring her to Vlachernae and there the mother of our Master Christ who is powerful will make her well." Having said this, St. Basil disappeared. St. Irene took the sick sister along with two other nuns and arriving at the Church of Vlachernae, they prayed the entire day with tears in their eyes. At about midnight, St. Irene fell asleep and in her sleep she saw many people dressed in brilliant golden clothes and preparing the roads with the most fragrant flowers and incense. Our venerable mother then asked why so much preparation was taking place. They answered that the Mother of God was coming and warned her to prepare herself that she might be accounted worthy to venerate God's mother. Then the Mother of the Life arrived followed by a vast crowd. So much did the face of the Virgin radiate that it was not possible for a mere mortal to gaze upon her. Our Lady having looked at all the ill, assembled in the church, looked at the disciple of St. Irene. Our venerable mother Irene fell at the spotless feet of the Mother of God, full of fear and trembling. The Mother of God then called on St. Basil the Great and asked him what Irene needed. St. Basil explained to the Theotokos exactly what St. Irene's need was. Hearing this the Theotokos said, "Call here, Anastasia!" When St. Anastasia had arrived, the Mother of God said to her, "Go with Basil to Caesarea, and study carefully the situation in order to cure this girl, for to you my Son and God has granted this grace."

St. Basil the Great (January 1st) and St. Anastasia the Great Martyr, the Deliver-from-Potions (December 22nd) (Icon courtesy of www.eikonografos.com used with permission)

Venerating the Theotokos, St. Anastasia and St. Basil left in all haste in order to perform the ordained task. Our venerable mother Irene then heard a voice saying. "Go to your convent and she will be made well." On awakening, Irene explained to the sisters what she had seen and they went on their way rejoicing greatly. When they arrived at the convent it was Friday at the time of vespers and all the nuns were gathered at the church. St. Irene explained her vision and then ordered them all to raise their hands and eyes towards heaven and with all their hearts and burning tears to cry out, "Lord have mercy!" After a long time, when the entire floor of the church had become wet from the tears of the sisters, St. Basil and the Great-martyr Anastasia appeared floating in the air and the sisters heard them say, "Irene open your arms and receive this, and don't grieve us needlessly again." (St. Irene had been praying before the icon of St. Basil and begged him to free Caesarea from magicians). Stretching out her hands, St. Irene received from the midst of the air a package weighing about three liters and containing a host of charms including strings, hair, and lead, bound together with the names of demons written upon them. It also contained two small idols made of lead, one in the shape of the ex-fiance and the other in the shape of the sick nun, stuck together as if they were committing a sin. The nuns were amazed and remained praying the entire night. They thanked the Theotokos. In the morning, St. Irene sent the sick nun, along with two other nuns to Vlachernae. Taking with them the charms, oil and prosphora, they attended the Divine Liturgy. After the liturgy, the priest anointed the sick nun with oil from the vigil lamp and later put the magical charms on live coals. As the charms burned, the nun became well and regained her senses. When the spell of the charms was totally broken, a crying sound came forth from the coals that resembled the squealing of pigs at their slaughter. The nuns returned to the monastery glorifying God that He does such strange and magnificent things and on entering the monastery they told all what had happened."
(taken from the full life of St. Irene available here: http://www.stirene.org/st_irene/stirene_index.html)

St. Irene the Righteous of Chrysovalantou (July 28th; see: http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2009/07/st-irene-righteous-abbess-of-monastery.html for more information)

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

The Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of the Holy Glorious Great-martyr Anastasia the "Farmakolytria", Thessalonica

The Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of the Holy Glorious Great-martyr Anastasia the "Farmakolytria", Thessalonica (picture from: http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/gh251.jsp?obj_id=5609)

The Monastery of St. Anastasia “Farmakolytrias” (“The Deliverer from Potions”) according to tradition was founded by the empress Theophano, the wife of Leo VI Sophou in 888 AD. However, there aren’t any historical witnesses of the existence of the monastery in the Byzantine years. In 1522, monk Theonas (later Metropolitan of Thessaloniki and Saint) found at that place (between Basilikon and Galatistas) a ruined chapel and built a monastery, which blossomed and was granted awesome and unshakeable privilege and many dependencies, in Chalkidiki and all the Balkans.

Icon of St. Anastasia Pharmakolytria (Commemorated on December 22 (http://www.amen.gr/uploads/EIKONES/Agia%20Anastasia%20Farmakolytria.jpg)

In 1821 the Turks burned the monastery and its entrance and slaughtered all of the monastics. From that time are preserved only the south wing, with the stavrotholia. The rest of the buildings were rebuilt after the catastrophe of the Turks. In the monastery is the chapel of Sts. Kerykos and Julitta, from was painted by painters from Galatsianous in the 19th century, and remains one of the few surviving examples of post-Byzantine painting from the area of Chalkidiki.

St. Theonas the Archbishop of Thessaloniki, who re-founded of the Monastery of St. Anastasia (+1541 - Commemorated on the Fourth Sunday of Great Lent) (0404theonasthessalonika.JPG)

Among the treasures of the Monastery are the part of the Precious Cross, the Holy Skull and part of the right foot of St. Anastasia, and the wonderworking and incorrupt body of St. Theonas.
(translated and summarized from: http://www.agro-tour.net/web/guest/art_culture/~/topicarts/view/44828/209/164?_topicarts_redirect=%2Fweb%2Fguest%2Fart_culture%2F%257E%2Ftopic%2F209%2F164%3F_topicarts_page%3D2; http://www.patriarchate.org/patriarchate/jurisdiction/organizations/monasteries?searched=anastasia&advsearch=oneword&highlight=ajaxSearch_highlight+ajaxSearch_highlight1)

The miraculous Holy Skull and Right Foot of St. Anastasia the Great Martyr, Pharmakolytria ("The Deliverer from Potions") (http://www.amen.gr/uploads/EIKONES/KARA%20AGIAS%20ANASTASIAS%20FARMAKOLITRIAS.jpg)

  

The Founders of the Monastery of St. Anastasia: Sts. Theonas and Theophano (source)

  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

St. Theophano the Empress

Saint Theophano the Empress - Commemorated on December 16th (Icon courtesy of www.eikonografos.com used with permission)

"[St. Theophano] was born of eminent parents, Constantine and Anna, who were kin to several emperors. Her parents were childless for a long time and prayed to the Most-holy Theotokos to give them an offspring. And God gave them this daughter, Theophano. Imbued with the Christian spirit from her childhood, Theophano surpassed all her companions in all the Christian virtues. When she grew up, she entered into marriage with Leo, the son of Emperor Basil the Macedonian. She endured great hardships alongside her husband. Responding to slander-that Leo carried a knife in his boot and planned to kill his father at an opportune time-the gullible father, Basil, locked his son and daughter-in-law in prison. Thus, two innocent souls languished in prison for three years. Once, during the Feast of the Prophet Elias, the emperor summoned all his noblemen to his court for a banquet. Suddenly the emperor's parrot unexpectedly spoke these words, ``Alas, alas, my Lord Leo!'' and repeated these words a number of times. This brought great anxiety to all of the imperial noblemen, and they all begged the emperor to release his son and daughter-in-law. The grieved emperor did so. After his father's death, Leo became emperor and was called ``the Wise.'' Theophano did not consider her imperial dignity as anything, but, completely devoted to God, she cared only about the salvation of her soul, fasting and praying, distributing many alms, and restoring many monasteries and churches. Neither an untrue word nor an excessive word nor, least of all, slander proceeded from her lips. Before her death she called all her closest friends, took leave of them and gave up her soul to her God in the year 892. The Emperor Leo wanted to build a church over her grave in her name, but since the patriarch objected to this, he built a church to All Saints, saying that if Theophano became a saint, she would be glorified together with the other saints. The Feast of All Saints was then instituted to be celebrated on the Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity."
(taken from: http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/prolog.htm)

St. Theophao the Empress, from the Menologion of Basileiou II (taken from: http://vatopaidi.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/st-theophano.jpg)

"[St. Theophano] surrendered her spirit to God in peace, while still in her youth, being, according to some, about twenty years of age, according to others, twenty-seven. Her holy relics are still preserved in the patriarchal church in Constantinople as a source of healing for those that draw nigh with faith and longing. She was also the builder of the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropigeal Monastery of St. Anastasia the Protector from Potions in Chalke (883)."
(taken from: http://goarch.org/chapel/saints_view?contentid=339&type=saints)

Picture of the Holy Relics of St. Theophano the Empress, St. Euphemia the Great Martyr, and St. Solomone the Mother of the Holy Maccabes, all treasured in the Holy Patriarchal Church of St. George in Constantinople (taken from: http://www.patriarchate.org/patriarchate/tour)

HYMN OF PRAISE

Saint Theophano the Empress

by St. Nikolai VelimirovchFrom a royal throne, it is better seen:

The vanity of the world, clever vanity,

And the imperial throne is mercilessly struck

By the tumultuous waves of this world.

Theophano clearly examines

The insane, open sea of this world,

And her heart, her troubled heart,

Is firmly anchored to the Living God.

The kings of this world-are they kings?

They are but many sentries on a quick rotation!

Death counts and carries out the change of these sentries-

Kings of the world: passing shadows!

Theophano, like the wise virgins,

The lamp of her heart lit by the spirit,

Illumined the path with a wonderful light,

Happily avoiding the pits of sin.

Now blessed in the Eternal Kingdom,

Among the stars, and shining like one,

Where there is no pain or change,

Theophano now reigns."

(taken from: http://www.westsrbdio.org/prolog/prolog.htm)

St. Theophano the Empress (taken from: http://www.photosled.com/data/2422/1216_Theofano.jpg)

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone

Preferring heavenly things unto the earthly, thou while on earth didst live the life of the Angels, raised up on godly longing, O Theophano. Wherefore, thou hast been vouchsafed Heaven's graces and visions, standing with the Angels' hosts and the Saints' fair assemblies before the King of all, Whom thou didst love; pray Him to grant us His mercy and blessedness.

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone

As we celebrate today thy radiant feast-day, O divine Theophano, we cry with rev'rence unto thee: Preserve thy servants, who sing thy praise, from every manner of peril and suffering.

(taken from: http://goarch.org/chapel/saints_view?contentid=339&type=saints)

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!