Venerable Anthousa the Confessor lived during the reign of Emperor Constantine Copronymos (ca. 741). She lived at Mantinea, Paphlygonia in Asia Minor during the VIII century. Her parents, Stratḗgios and Febronia, were distinguished for their piety, and raised their daughter in the same way.
Despite all the marriage proposals Anthousa received, she remained a virgin. After her parents reposed, she did not change her mind, but devoted her parental inheritance to charitable and sacred causes. Forsaking the world at a young age, Saint Anthousa lived a life of asceticism in the mountains in complete solitude. She received the monastic tonsure from Hieromonk Sisinios, and became Igoumeness of a Monastery with ninety nuns. These nuns were known for their obedience to their Igoumeness and for their spiritual discipline. Saint Anthousa built two monasteries: Mantineos, with a church dedicated to Saint Anna; and another in honor of the Holy Apostles, which was a women's monastery.
When Emperor Constantine Copronymos ordered a harsh persecution against the Holy Icons and those who venerated them. Saint Anthousa's Monastery became one of the most ardent defenders of Orthodoxy. The Emperor sent his agent to say that she would be left alone if she ceased to venerate the Icons. When she refused, she and her nuns were subjected to torture, for disobeying the Emperor’s decree. Soldiers tied them up and flogged them. Then burning icons were placed on the Saint's head, and her feet were burnt with red-hot coals. Finally, she was exiled.
But when the Holy Igoumeness predicted that the sick Empress would escape death, and would give birth to twins, then she loved Anthousa very much, and supported her Monastery in various ways. Among those who had witnessed her torture was the Emperor’s wife, to whom the Saint predicted the birth of a son and a daughter. When Saint Anthousa's prediction was fulfilled, she was allowed to return to her convent, where she reposed at an advanced age. The daughter born to the Emperor’s wife was also named Anthousa (April 12).
After living a life pleasing to God, the Holy Confessor Anthousa reposed in 759 (or 775, or 794), and now lives with Him forever. She was buried in her cell.
Troparion — Tone 8
By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile, / and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance. / By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe! / O our holy mother Anthusa, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!