St. Anna at Adrianopolis

Commemorated on October 22

Saint Anna was killed at Adrianopolis during the third century, along with the martyrs Alexander the Bishop, Heraclius the Soldier, Theodota, Elizabeth, and Glyceria for their confession of Christ. Their martyrdom occurred during the period when Christianity was spreading among the pagans. Despite the persecutions against the Christians, Bishop Alexander fearlessly converted and baptized many pagans into the Faith.

The governor of the region ordered his soldiers to use torture to force Bishop Alexander to deny Christ. The saint patiently endured terrible tortures. Struck by this, the soldier Heraclius announced that he had come to believe in Christ and received a martyr’s crown. After him, the Women Martyrs Anna, Elizabeth, Theodota and Glyceria confessed that they were Christians.

By permission of the Orthodox Church in America (www.oca.org)