Basilissa and Anastasia of Rome
The Holy Martyrs Basilissa and Anastasia of Rome
Martyr · d. c. 68
Commemorated 15 April — Martyrdom at Rome under Nero
Basilissa and Anastasia were noble Christian women of Rome, disciples of the apostles Peter and Paul, who devoted themselves to gathering and burying the bodies of the martyrs of the Neronian persecution. For this — and for their own bold confession of Christ — they were arrested, tortured and beheaded at Rome about the year 68. They are honoured as martyrs and as among the earliest confessors of the Church in the capital.
Basilissa and Anastasia belonged to the nobility of Rome and were among the first fruits of the apostolic preaching in the city; the tradition names them disciples of the holy apostles Peter and Paul. In the fierce persecution of Nero, when so many Christians were put to death in the arenas and gardens of Rome, the two women gave themselves to a work of great danger and mercy: they gathered up the bodies of the slain martyrs — and, tradition says, of the apostles themselves — and buried them with honour, that the relics of the saints might not be lost or dishonoured.
For this they were denounced and seized. Brought before the authorities and commanded to renounce Christ, they confessed him boldly and without fear. They were subjected to grievous tortures — scourged, burned, their bodies torn — and, standing firm through all, were at last beheaded, about the year 68, receiving together the crown of martyrdom. The Christians in turn buried them, and their memory was kept among the martyrs of Rome.
They are to be distinguished from the several later saints of the same names — in particular from Anastasia the Roman, the virgin-martyr of the third century (October 29), with whom this first-century Anastasia is easily confused.
Feast and commemoration
April 15 (church date; Old Calendar civil April 28). Basilissa and Anastasia are honoured as martyrs of the apostolic age and as disciples of Peter and Paul.
Hymns
Troparion — Tone 4 (common of women martyrs)
Thy martyrs Basilissa and Anastasia, O Lord, in their contest received incorruptible crowns from Thee, our God; for possessing Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and shattered the feeble insolence of the demons. By their intercessions save our souls.
Original translation from the Greek
Iconography
The two are painted together as women-martyrs in the maphorion, holding the cross of witness; their ministry of burying the martyrs may be shown. No pre-1900 icon of them has been identified for this collection.