St. Anastasia, a martyr, enjoys the distinction of having a special commemoration in the second mass on December 25. This mass was originally celebrated in honor of the birth of Christ, but towards the end of the fifth century, her name was inserted in the Roman canon of the Mass.

She was married to a noble Roman, named Publius, who was a cruel tyrant and maltreated her like a slave. Publius met an untimely death on his journey to become the ambassador to the King of Persia.

St. Anastasia was beheaded on the island of Palmaria when she went to visit the faithful in Sirmium. A Christian lady obtained her body and gave it honorable burial in Dalmatia, and about the year 460 A.D., under the Emperor Leo, her relics were transferred in the celebrated church of the Resurrection, called The Anastasia.

Source: The Catholic Encyclopedia
Researched by: Kristin King
Excerpted by: Lourdes G. Mon