Born: 291 (circa), Italy
Died: 21 January 304
Country most active: Italy
Also known as: NA
From Woman: Her Position, Influence and Achievement Throughout the Civilized World. Designed and Arranged by William C. King. Published in 1900 by The King-Richardson Co. Copyright 1903 The King-Richardson Co.:
Agnes and Anastasia
Martyrs in the Diocletian Persecution
Martyred 303 A.D.
While Diocletian was noted as an organizer and ruler, he became notorious as the instigator of the “tenth persecution.” By his order, in 303, churches were torn down, sacred writings were ordered given up and destroyed, all assemblies of Christians were prohibited, Christians in public office were removed from their positions, and all were subject to torture. The emperor’s purpose was to exterminate the Christian religion.
Agnes and Anastasia were two of the many who suffered death as a result of the bloody edict. Agnes was a young maiden of wealth and beauty, and many of the young noblemen sought her in marriage, but she refused them all on the ground that she devoted her life to the service of Christ. Her suitors accused her to the governor, expecting that threats and torture would cause her to give up her religion. She was entreated and threatened by the judge, and the instruments of torture were shown to her. She was then commanded to sacrifice to the idols, but she steadfastly refused. The enraged judge then ordered her to be beheaded.
Anastasia’s father was a pagan, but her mother was a Christian. The death of her mother was a sad blow. Her father compelled her to marry a pagan. Her husband, finding that she was a Christian, treated her cruelly and squandered her property. In a few years he died, and Anastasia devoted herself to works of charity, using what remained of her fortune in relieving the poor Christians, many of whom were in prison. Her works excited suspicion. She and three female servants were arrested, and commanded to sacrifice idols. This they refused to do. The servants were executed at once. Anastasia was banished for a time, but subsequently was brought back to Rome and burned alive.
Christians died, but Christianity lived on and grew under persecution. Diocletian abdicated in 305 A.D. In 311 was issued the edict of universal toleration.
The following is excerpted from A Cyclopædia of Female Biography, published 1857 by Groomsbridge and Sons and edited by Henry Gardiner Adams.
A Christian martyr at Rome during the persecutions of Dioclesian, whose bloody edicts appeared in March, A. D. 303. She was but thirteen at the time of her glorious death. Her riches and beauty excited many of the young noblemen of Rome to seek her in marriage; but Agnes answered them all, that she had consecrated herself to a heavenly spouse. Her suitors accused her to the governor as a Christian, not doubting that threats and torments would overcome her resolution. The judge at first employed the mildest persuasions and most inviting promises, to which Agnes paid no attention; he then displayed before her the instruments of torture, with threats of immediate execution, and dragged her before idols, to which she was commanded to sacrifice; but Agnes moved her hand only to make the sign of the cross. The governor, highly exasperated, ordered her to be immediately beheaded; and Agnes went cheerfully to the place of execution. Her body was buried at a small distance from Rome, near the Nonietan road. A church was built on the spot in the time of Constantine the Great. The old Latin martyrologies assign to St. Agnes the 21st. and 28th. of January; the Greek the 14th. and 21st. of that month; which latter date is now called her day in the Roman church.