St Anastasia was from a noble family in the city of Constantinople. She was very beautiful and polite. Emperor Justin wanted to marry her as a second wife. She refused and told his wife. The empress sent her to Alexandria on a private ship, and built her convent outside the city and named it after her.
When the emperor found out, he sent for her, but she escaped and hid in the wilderness of Scetis disguised as a prince. She met with Abba Daniel and told him her story. He brought her to a cave and asked one of the monks to fill a pot of water for her once a week, to place it at the door and leave.
St. Anastasia remained in that place for twenty-eight years, without anyone knowing that she is a woman. She used to write her thoughts on pieces of pottery and she would leave them at the door of her cave. The monk who brought her water, used to take her pottery, without knowing what was written, to Abba Daniel.
Through the pottery, she communicated to Abba Daniel that she’ll be departing soon, him and the other monk buried her with the very old cloth that she was wearing, as she requested.
Our Coptic church celebrates her departure on the 26th day of the month of Toba.
“I will love you, O Lord, my strength”
(psalm 18:1)