Anthusa of Constantinople
Saint Anthusa of Constantinople was a Byzantine princess and daughter of Emperor Constantine V. She is venerated for her devout monastic life, her refusal of worldly power, and her charitable works. She is remembered for founding the Omonoia Monastery and for her asceticism.
- Feast Day
- April 18
- Century
- 8th century
- Country Or Region
- Byzantine Empire
Key Facts
- ›Anthusa was the daughter of Byzantine Emperor Constantine V.
- ›She desired monasticism and refused her father's urgings to marry.
- ›After her father's death, she used her personal property to aid the poor and orphaned.
- ›She declined Empress Irene's offer to be co-regent.
- ›Anthusa entered the monastery of Saint Euthymia and later founded the Omonoia Monastery.
- ›Her feast days are April 12 and 18 in the Orthodox Church and April 18 in the Catholic Church.
Saint Anthousa the Younger
Convents, Abbeys
About Anthusa of Constantinople
Saint Anthusa of Constantinople, also known in Orthodox tradition as Saint Anthousa the Younger, was a Byzantine princess who lived from approximately 750 or 757 AD to 801 or 808 AD. She is venerated as a saint in both the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church. Her feast days are observed on April 12 and April 18 in the Orthodox Church, and on April 18 in the Catholic Church.
Life and Veneration
Anthusa was the daughter of the iconoclast Byzantine Emperor Constantine V and one of his wives. Details surrounding her birth are varied, with some sources indicating she was a twin born on January 25, 750, to Constantine's first wife, Tzitzak, while others suggest a birth year of 757, making Eudokia her mother. Despite her imperial lineage, Anthusa harbored a deep desire for monasticism and resisted her father's pressure to marry. Following her father's death, she dedicated her personal fortune to aiding the poor and orphaned.
She was highly regarded by Empress Irene, the consort of her brother Leo the Khazar, who invited Anthusa to be co-regent during the minority of Constantine VI. Anthusa declined this offer. While outwardly conforming to courtly attire, she secretly wore a hair-shirt as a sign of her ascetic devotion.
Anthusa eventually entered the monastery of Saint Euthymia. Later, she was tonsured by Patriarch Tarasios of Constantinople and went on to found the Omonoia Monastery in Constantinople. This monastery became notable for its stringent regulations.
Legacy
Anthusa of Constantinople is remembered for her commitment to a religious life over worldly power and for her charitable endeavors. In the Catholic Church, she is recognized as the patroness of convents and abbeys, reflecting her deep connection to monastic life.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Saint Anthusa of Constantinople?
Saint Anthusa of Constantinople was a Byzantine princess, daughter of Emperor Constantine V, who chose a life of monasticism and devotion over worldly pursuits. She is venerated in both the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Churches.
What is Saint Anthusa of Constantinople known for?
She is chiefly remembered for her devout religious life, her refusal of imperial power, and her founding of the Omonoia Monastery in Constantinople. She also used her personal wealth to aid the poor and orphaned.
When is Saint Anthusa of Constantinople celebrated?
Her feast days in the Orthodox Church are April 12 and April 18. In the Catholic Church, she is commemorated on April 18.
What was Anthusa's relationship to the imperial family?
Anthusa was the daughter of Byzantine Emperor Constantine V and the sister-in-law of Empress Irene, who was the consort of Leo the Khazar and later co-regent. Empress Irene held Anthusa in high regard.
What is the significance of the Omonoia Monastery founded by Saint Anthusa?
The Omonoia Monastery, founded by Saint Anthusa in Constantinople, was known for its strict regulations. The name 'omonoia' itself means 'concord' or 'charity', reflecting its ethos.
Related Saints
Aye
Aye was a Frankish Catholic saint known as the patron saint of lawsuits. She is revered by the Beguines of Belgium and her feast day is April 18th. She is sometimes confused with another St. Agia, the mother of Saint Loup of Sens.
Marie of the Incarnation
Marie of the Incarnation, also known as Madame Acarie, was a French mystic and foundress of the Discalced Carmelite convents in France. She is remembered for her pivotal role in introducing the Carmelite order to France and her own profound spiritual life, which included receiving the stigmata.
Stephen the Younger
Stephen the Younger was a Byzantine monk and a leading opponent of iconoclasm under Emperor Constantine V. He is remembered as the most prominent iconodule martyr, executed for his beliefs.