Anastasius the Persian

About Anastasius the Persian

Anastasius was a Persian soldier named Magundat who converted to Christianity and became a monk. Serving in the Persian army that sacked Jerusalem in 614, Anastasius was moved by Christian relics, particularly the True Cross. After his military service, he left Persia, was baptized, took the name Anastasius, and became a monk in Jerusalem. His zeal for martyrdom led him to preach publicly against Zoroastrianism in Persia. Arrested and brought before the Persian king, Anastasius refused to renounce Christianity despite torture. He was strangled with chains and beheaded in 628. His relics were eventually brought to Rome. Anastasius represents the conversion of those from other religions and cultures to Christianity, and the willingness to suffer death rather than deny Christ.