Russian Icon of Saint Anastasia, Hand Painted. Anastasia Uzoreshitelnica (also Pharmacolitria, Roman, Illyrian) is a Roman Christian saint. Honored as a great martyr. Great Martyr Anastasia is the most famous and revered saint of this name, the patroness of apothecaries and doctors. She devoted her life to caring for the poor, the sick and the unfortunate. Although popular with the people, she was sentenced to death during the mass persecution of Christians. Saint Anastasia was born into a noble Roman family. Her father is the Roman senator Pretestatus, her mother Fausta professes the Christian religion. Anastasia's teacher was Chrysogonus, also a Christian. Anastasia uses all her means to help Christians imprisoned for their religion - trying to alleviate their suffering in any way possible. She goes from town to town among the dungeons, comforting them, healing them, providing them with food and, when possible, paying generous bribes to the jailers for their release. Gradually, Anastasia becomes a skilled healer who knows the smallest subtleties of the medical profession. This is how it got its nickname Pharmacolithria. St. Anastasia Pharmacolitria is among the few female martyrs revered with great zeal and love by both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. The icon, like any religious object, is beautiful, radiating strength and tranquility. I hope the icon brings peace, protection and warmth to its new owner. May God be with each of us, guide and help us.