**ANASTASIUS** Magundat, Saint, Martyr. — A Persian monk and martyr, born at Razech, died in 628. When the Cross was brought to Persia in 614, Magundat, who had been instructed in magic, wished to know why Christians venerated so greatly an instrument of torture. Having learned the rudiments of the Christian religion, he resolved to embrace it and went to Hierapolis, where, in the church of the Martyrs, he learned to admire their heroism. He then went to Jerusalem, where he received baptism, changing his name to Anastasius. After seven years of monastic life, he went to Caesarea in Palestine, then subject to the Persians, and there he was subjected to cruel torments. A letter was written in his favour to King Chosroes, who replied that he should be left free on condition that he formally abjure before only one person. Anastasius refused. Sent to Barsiloe in Persia, where the king was, he resisted all tortures and was strangled and beheaded in 628. His relics were brought to Rome during the reign of Heraclius not later than 640. In two itineraries of pilgrims of the 7th century, namely in the *De locis* and in the *Notitia Portuum* (ed. R. Valentini - G. Zucchetti, in *Codice topografico della Città di Roma*, II, Rome 1942, pp. 109, 150), mention is made of the veneration of his head in the monastery “ad aquas Salvias,” later called of SS. Vincent and Anastasius at the Three Fountains. His feast is celebrated on 22 January.
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