Our Holy Mother Anthusa
Commemorated July 27
Saint Anthusa the Confessor lived at Mantinea, Paphlygonia in Asia Minor during the eighth century. Leaving the world at a young age, St Anthusa lived in asceticism in the mountains in complete solitude. She received monastic tonsure from the hieromonk Sisinius, and became abbess of a monastery of ninety nuns.
St Anthusa suffered during the reign of the emperor Constantine Copronymos, who demanded that the saint renounce the veneration of holy icons. St Anthusa was subjected to torture, since she disobeyed the emperor's order.
Among those who witnessed the torture was the emperor's wife, for whom the saint predicted the birth of a son and daughter. When St Anthusa's prediction was fulfilled, she was allowed to return to her convent, where she died in great old age. The daughter born to the emperor's wife was named Anthusa (April 12).
Having lived a life pleasing to God, she reposed in 759 and now lives with Him forever. She was buried in her cell.
Troparion
In thee, O mother, was manifestly preserved what is in the image of God; for, having taken up the cross, thou didst follow Christ, and by thine own example hast taught that the flesh is to be despised as transient, but that particular care should be bestowed on the soul, as a thing immortal; wherefore together with the angels rejoiceth also thine, O religious Anthusa, spirit.
Kontakion
For the love of God thou didst, O religious one, detest the device for rest, having by fasting made thy spirit luminous, for thou didst inflict a severe defeat on the beasts; but through thine intercessions destroy the plots of the enemies.
Source: Crkveni Kalendar
