3rd–4th century
Saint Anysia of Thessalonica
A young Christian from a wealthy family of Thessaloniki who devoted her life to prayer and almsgiving and was killed with a sword by a soldier when she refused to sacrifice to idols, in the time of Diocletian.
Biography
Anysia came from Thessaloniki and was the daughter of pious, wealthy parents. When they died, she managed her own inheritance, gave it to the poor, and devoted herself to fasting, vigil and prayer.
During the persecution of Diocletian, as she was on her way to church, a pagan soldier stopped her at the Cassandriote Gate and pressed her to sacrifice to the gods. Anysia confessed her faith in Christ and, when he tried to pull off her veil, spat in his face; enraged, he ran her through with his sword.
Christians buried her near the gate and, once the persecution ended, built a chapel over her grave.