Saint Holy Martyrs Basilissa and Anastasia
of Rome.
Also known as Saints Basilissa and Anastasia, Vasilissa and Anastasia, Basilissa and Anastasia of Rome, Martyrs Basilissa and Anastasia, disciples of Apostles Peter and Paul, Holy Women Martyrs Basilissa and Anastasia
Two Roman women converted by the Apostles Peter and Paul, who reverently buried the bodies of martyrs under Nero. They were imprisoned, tortured, and beheaded for confessing Christ, c. 68 AD.
- Born
- Rome (Roman Empire; modern-day Italy)
- Fell asleep
- c. 68 AD
- Feast day
- April 15 (New) · April 28 (Old)
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Troparion of St. Holy Martyrs Basilissa and Anastasia of Rome
Tone 1
As rational sheep of Christ, the Lamb and Shepherd, you suffered martyrdom,
and completing your course, you have preserved the Faith;
therefore, O Anastasia and Basilissa, worthy of praise,
we celebrate your holy memory today with joyous hearts, magnifying Christ.
The life of St. Holy Martyrs Basilissa and Anastasia of Rome Two Roman
Women Who Honored the Martyrs of Christ
Basilissa and Anastasia lived in Rome and were brought to Christ by the Apostles Peter and Paul. They gave their lives to the service of the Lord. Under Nero they buried slain Christians with reverence, and for this they were imprisoned, tortured, and beheaded.
Early years
Little is recorded of the early lives of Basilissa and Anastasia. The Orthodox synaxarion says only that they lived in Rome and were converted to Christianity by the holy Apostles Peter and Paul. After this they devoted themselves to the service of the Lord. Western sources describe them as Roman matrons of high rank and great wealth, but the Orthodox Church's own accounts do not give details of their family or upbringing.
In the Church
As disciples of the Apostles, the two women gave themselves to the service of the Lord. Their best-known deed came during the persecution of Nero (54–68). They took the bodies of those put to death for the faith and buried them reverently. The Antiochian synaxarion text says the bodies were those of the holy apostles; the OCA text says the holy martyrs.
Later years
Rumors of their deed reached Nero, and Basilissa and Anastasia were locked in prison. They were subjected to cruel tortures. They were scourged with whips, their skin was scraped with hooks, and they were burned with fire. The Prologue from Ohrid adds that their breasts and tongues were cut off.
The holy women stayed firm and boldly confessed Christ the Savior. By Nero's command they were beheaded with the sword, around the year 68.
Legacy and veneration
The Orthodox Church commemorates Saints Basilissa and Anastasia each year on April 15. They are included in the synaxaria of the Orthodox Church in America, the Antiochian Archdiocese, and the Prologue from Ohrid. They are also named in the Roman Martyrology, which records two Roman matrons of this name on the same day and says they apparently died in Nero's persecution.
In Western tradition they are regarded as patrons of tailors. The sources consulted do not record any posthumous miracles.
Veneration of St. Holy Martyrs Basilissa and Anastasia of Rome How the saint's
memory is kept.
- Patronage
- Patron of Tailors (in Western tradition), Those who bury the dead, Women martyrs of Rome.
- Relics of Saints Basilissa and Anastasia
- Western sources report that their relics are at the church of Santa Maria della Pace in Rome. The Orthodox synaxaria consulted do not mention the location of relics, and this report comes from secondary sources.
- Iconography
- The sources consulted do not describe a fixed iconographic type for Saints Basilissa and Anastasia. In Orthodox iconography, holy women martyrs are generally shown in the dress of women of the early Church. They usually hold a martyr's cross, and sometimes a palm branch. The two are often painted together. Western art includes a statue of Basilissa among those lining the colonnade of St. Peter's Square in Rome.
Frequently asked Questions about
St. Holy Martyrs Basilissa and Anastasia of Rome.
- When is the feast day of Saints Basilissa and Anastasia?
- The Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Martyrs Basilissa and Anastasia of Rome on April 15.
- Who were Saints Basilissa and Anastasia?
- They were women of Rome in the first century who were converted by the Apostles Peter and Paul. They buried the bodies of martyrs during Nero's persecution and were martyred themselves, around 68 AD.
- How did Saints Basilissa and Anastasia die?
- They were imprisoned and tortured. They were scourged, scraped with hooks, and burned with fire. They were then beheaded with the sword by Nero's command, around the year 68.
- Why were Basilissa and Anastasia arrested?
- They took up the bodies of Christians put to death under Nero and gave them reverent burial. When Nero heard of this, he had them imprisoned.
- What is the troparion of Saints Basilissa and Anastasia?
- The troparion is in Tone 1. It calls the saints rational sheep of Christ, the Lamb and Shepherd, who completed their course and kept the Faith. The full text is given on this page.
- Are Basilissa and Anastasia of Rome the same as other saints named Anastasia or Basilissa?
- No. The Orthodox Church also remembers Martyr Anastasia the Roman (October 29, under Decius), Martyr Basilissa of Nicomedia (September 3), and Saints Callinica and Basilissa. The martyrs of April 15 lived in the time of Nero.
- Where are the relics of Saints Basilissa and Anastasia?
- Western sources report that their relics are at Santa Maria della Pace in Rome. The Orthodox synaxaria consulted do not give a location.
- What is St. Holy Martyrs Basilissa and Anastasia of Rome the patron saint of?
- St. Holy Martyrs Basilissa and Anastasia of Rome is the patron saint of Tailors (in Western tradition), Those who bury the dead, and Women martyrs of Rome.
Kontakion of St. Holy Martyrs Basilissa and Anastasia of Rome
Tone 4 (Podoben: "You have appeared...")
We who celebrate the memory of Christ's Virgin Martyrs Anastasia and Basilissa now pray with faith for their help,
that we may be delivered from every affliction, crying out:
"God, Who willed to glorify them, is with us."
Prayer to St. Holy Martyrs Basilissa and Anastasia of Rome
No prayer specific to Saints Basilissa and Anastasia was found in the standard sources consulted, so none is given here. The faithful may ask for their intercession with the troparion and kontakion above.
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References and further reading
- oca.orghttps://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2021/04/15
- oca.orghttps://www.oca.org/saints/all-lives/2013/04/15
- oca.orghttps://www.oca.org/saints/troparia/2026/04/15/101086-martyrs-basilissa-and-anastasia-of-rome-disciples-of-apostles-pe
- orthochristian.comhttps://orthochristian.com/102858.html
- ww1.antiochian.orghttp://ww1.antiochian.org/node/18241
- orthodox.nethttps://www.orthodox.net/menaion-april/15-the-holy-female-martyrs-basilissa-and-anastasia.html
- holytrinityorthodox.comhttps://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/los/April/15-02.htm
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilissa_and_Anastasia
- newadvent.orghttps://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02329c.htm
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anastasia_the_Roman
- dbpedia.orghttps://dbpedia.org/page/Basilissa_and_Anastasia
- anastpaul.comhttps://anastpaul.com/2022/04/15/saint-s-of-the-day-15-april-saints-anastasia-and-st-basilissa-died-c-68-martyrs/
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callinica_and_Basilissa
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilla_of_Rome
- oca.orghttps://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2012/04/15/101086-martyrs-basilissa-and-anastasia-of-rome-disciples-of-apostles-pe
- orthodoxwiki.orghttps://orthodoxwiki.org/Basilissa_of_Nicomedia
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_saints_named_Anastasia
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilissa_(name)
- encyclopedia.comhttps://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/anastasia-and-basilissa-saints-fl-54-68
- catholic.comhttps://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/basilissa
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