Anastasius of Nafplio

Description

Anastasios, the holy neomartyr, was born and reared in Nafplio of the Peloponnese. He was a painter by trade. In his homeland, he was betrothed to the daughter of a a certain Christian. However, a few days later, he heard of some faults of his fiancee, and he dissolved the engagement. The parents of his former betrothed (not being firmly grounded in Christianity) took recourse in the magic arts to inveigle him into loving her and joining her in wedlock. Consequently, within a short period of time, the charm began to take effect and the young man went completely mad, roaming about aimlessly. The Hagarenes noticed this behavior and took advantage of his insanity, making him a Muslim by circumcision. Despite this, God pitied Anastasios, and, in a matter of days, He granted him complete restoration of his mental faculties. When Anastasios regained his senses and saw that he was wearing a white turban on his head like the Muslims, he shouted without hesitation into a crowd of Turks: “I was a Christian, I am a Christian, and a Christian I will always be!”

When the Hagarenes beheld that he rued the conversion, they ran to him and violently set upon him. They beat and dragged him all the way to the judge, who endeavored, in diverse ways, either by fawning over him or employing threats, to draw him away from Christianity. Nevertheless, the Martyr did not give consideration to any of this. Refusing to concede, Anastasios firmly announced: “I am not denying my Lord Jesus Christ, the true God; for I believe in Him and worship Him as my Creator and Savior. Suffice it to say that I do not have the slightest need of your religion; moreover, I detest you and your prophet.” At this point in the proceedings, the judge decreed the beheading of Anastasios. The infuriated Hagarenes did not concur with the judge’s sentence. As soon as they removed Anastasios from the court, they violently attacked him (as did the Hebrews against the Protomartyr Stephen). Some Muslims came to Christ’s Martyr with clubs, others with knives. They stabbed the Martyr’s body until they rent him asunder into small pieces. Thus did the blessed Anastasios gain a martyr’s crown in the year 1655. Saint Anastasios is now rejoicing with the choir of martyrs, to the glory of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.