Anastasia (Marcella group)
Flourished early 4th century C.E., Rome
Little is known about Anastasia except that she was a Christian woman from Rome, married to a pagan who died while traveling in Persia. In the year C.E. 303, the Roman emperor Diocletian initiated the last period of Christian persecution, and Anastasia was one of the many who were arrested and executed. She died in 304 and was made a saint by the Roman Catholic Church in the fifth century. She is celebrated on December 25, most likely the date of her martyrdom, as part of the second Mass on Christmas Day.
