Anastasia Rimlyanka Memorial Day in 2025: what believers should not do on November 11

The Venerable Martyr Anastasia of Rome is an example of early Christian martyrdom and monastic holiness. The church honors her memory on November 11, remembering the young nun who died for Christ during the persecution of Christians. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.

Who is Saint Anastasia of Rome?

The Venerable Martyr Anastasia of Rome is one of the Christian saints of the early Church, whose memory is revered in the Orthodox tradition. According to biographies, she was born in Rome, was orphaned in early childhood and was raised in a monastery.

Already in her youth, she took vows and devoted herself to prayer and service. During the persecution of Christians under Emperor Decius (mid-3rd century) Anastasia was arrested for confessing. She was subjected to severe torture, after which she suffered a martyr's death.

The historical details of her life and martyrdom are known mainly from late syntactic biographies and local traditions, but her feat and memory are confirmed in the church calendar.

When and how is her memorial Day celebrated

In the Orthodox tradition, the memory of Anastasia of Rome is celebrated in late October and early November. Christians of the Eastern Rite commemorate the saint on November 11. In liturgical practice, attention is paid to both the martyrdom of the shrine and its virtues of virginity and monastic asceticism.

In certain parishes, special prayer services, akathists and readings of the life are organized according to the date of remembrance. In order to accurately determine the day and form of celebration, believers are advised to consult the calendar of their parish or diocese.

Folk signs and traditions on November 11th

In popular culture, November 11 (new style) or October 29 (old style), associated with Anastasia's memory, acquired its own plot coloring. In a number of regions of Russia and Eastern Europe, this day is called "Anastasia Ovechnitsa" and is considered a period when attention should be paid to livestock and woolen industry.

Rural customs included sheep inspection and shearing, and the preparation of raw materials—cleaning, spinning, felting, and sewing warm winter clothing. The craftsmen who worked with wool believed that on this day it was especially important not to neglect their work and observe the established prohibitions.

In addition, folk legends include sets of prohibitions: not to leave children alone, not to bring strangers into the house, not to spend the evening alone — these beliefs were associated with concern for the welfare of the family and livestock. Folk calendar observations also made meteorological signs: rain on November 11 foreshadowed warm weather for a week, and low clouds — the approach of a cold snap. These practices are not church regulations, but they have long been incorporated into local traditions and everyday culture.

How believers ask Saint Anastasia for help

Conversion to saints in Orthodoxy is carried out through prayer and petition for their intercession before God. In relation to Anastasia of Rome, akathists, canons and short prayers are common in the parish tradition, with which believers ask for help in illnesses, strengthening in faith and protection from troubles.

In liturgical texts and folk prayer books, the saint is referred to as the patroness of chastity and who endured martyrdom.

In some cases, she is also asked to preserve the health of livestock and help craftsmen working with wool, reflecting how church memory is intertwined with local traditions. Prayer texts intended for reading on memorial days are published on church portals and in parish prayer books; believers usually come to the temple, place candles at the icon of the saint, read the akathist or penitential prayers and ask for her intercession.

For personal prayer, priests recommend coming with a penitent mood, reading the akathist or troparion of the saint, lighting a candle and asking not so much for material help as for spiritual strengthening and God's mercy through her intercession.