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Anastasius IIPatriarch of Antioch (599-609), revered as a saint among the holy martyrs, his memory in the Orthodox Church is celebrated on April 20 (according to the Julian calendar), in the Catholic Church on December 21.
Date of Birth: 01.01.0550
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Content:
- Saint Anastasius the Sinaite, Patriarch of Antioch
- Early Life and Monasticism
- Patriarchate of Antioch
- Literary Contributions
- Martyrdom
Saint Anastasius the Sinaite, Patriarch of Antioch
Anastasius II, Patriarch of Antioch from 599 to 609 AD, is revered as a martyr saint by both Orthodox and Catholic Christians.
Early Life and Monasticism
Anastasius, also known as "the Sinaite," was a monk at the Monastery of Sinai. He likely served as its abbot and followed in the footsteps of his predecessor, Anastasius I, who also hailed from the same monastery.
Patriarchate of Antioch
In 599 AD, Anastasius ascended to the patriarchal throne of Antioch. He corresponded with Pope Gregory I, as evidenced by a surviving letter from the pope pertaining to the early days of Anastasius' patriarchate.
Literary Contributions
Anastasius is credited with authoring several polemical works against Judaism. His most significant literary contribution was the translation of Pope Gregory I's treatise "On Pastoral Care" (Liber Regulae Pastoralis) into Greek, although the translation has not survived. He is also believed to be the author of "On Providence" (Peri Prōnoias), attributed to Anastasius of Antioch.
Martyrdom
In 609 AD, amidst political unrest in Antioch, Anastasius was killed. According to Theophanes the Confessor, the chaos was orchestrated by Jewish rioters. However, alternative accounts suggest that the conflict stemmed from supporters of rival circus factions.
A 10th-century liturgical text, the Typicon of the Great Church, records his martyrdom, and various Greek Synaxaria also commemorate him. While his feast day is celebrated on April 20 in Orthodox churches, the Catholic Church recognizes December 21 as his memorial.
