Saint Basilissa of Rome

Saint Basilissa of Rome

St. Basilissa was born in Rome during the reign of Emperor Gallienus. She as an adult converted to Christianity and was baptized by Pope Saint Cornelius. She was of noble birth, and the niece of Emperor Gallienus.

She was betrothed to a roman Patrician, Pompeius, who she refused to marry because he was pagan and demanded her religious conversion. Pompeius denounced her to the emperor. After she, again, refused to marry him, she was beheaded.

Saint Basilissa feast day is May 20th.

Saint of the Day: Saint Anne

BY MAXWELL AUSTIN

Note from Editor-

Unfortunately, our old writer, John Tingley, quit due to personal reasons. Luckily, Maxwell replied to our plead for help and is going to be writing the Saint of the Day!

Saint Anne, hmm. Probably rings a bell. But who exactly is Saint Anne?

She was married to a descendant of King Davioch of Jerusalem, Jochiam. Jochiam was described as a "Rich and Devout man", who would always give to the poor, and never miss a day of church. But, despite his great deeds, him and Anne failed to conceive. This, to a Jew, was a terrible tragedy. 

Anne, deeply saddened, prayed “God of my fathers, bless me: Hear my prayer, as You blessed the womb of Sarah, and gave her a son Isaac!". And her prayers were indeed answered. An angel appeared, and she immediately conceived. The angel said "Anne, Anne, the Lord has heard your prayer: You shall conceive and bear, and your offspring shall be spoken of in all the world".

The Angel went to Jochiam, and told him "Joachim, Joachim, God has heard your prayer. Go on your way, for your wife will conceive”. 

The next day, Jochiam scarified ten lambs, ten calves, and 100 goats. 

Anne, long past her fertile age, gave birth to Mary on September 8th, 20 B.C. The woman who would go on to carry her mother's legacy of emasculate conception, with the impregnation of the Virgin Mary with Jesus Christ.