Feast of Saint Anastasius the Persian

Patron Saints at the Catholic Forum

Pagan magician. Soldier in the army of Persian king Khusrow II during the campaign that brought the Holy Cross from Jerusalem to Persia. Magundat was so impressed by the obvious power of the relic, and the devotion and sanctity of the Christians who flocked to it, that he converted to Christianity, left the army, took the name Anastasius, and became a monk in Jerusalem. After seven years of prayer and solitude, Anastasius returned to Persia to convert his countrymen. He was soon arrested for his faith, and was promised high honours if he would deny Christ and return to the service of Khusrow; he declined. Martyred with about 70 other Christians whose names have not come down to us.