Anastasius of Persia

Who they were

Magundat, a Persian soldier in the army of King Chosroes and once a magician, was moved to ask about the faith when Chosroes carried off the Holy Cross from Jerusalem. He left the army, was baptised, took the name Anastasius and became a monk in Jerusalem.

After seven years of exact monastic life he went to Caesarea, then under the Persians, reproached his countrymen for their magic and fire-worship, and was arrested and tortured. Offered the highest honours if he renounced Christ, he refused, and with seventy others was strangled and beheaded near the Euphrates on 22 January 628.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: Anastasius has been honoured as a martyr since his death. His relics were carried to Palestine, Constantinople and finally Rome.

Why that counted as sanctity

A soldier converted by the Cross gave his life rather than deny it, preferring Christ to every honour a king could offer.