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Anastasia is the female form of the name Anastasius/Anastasios (Koine Greek: Αναστασια). Its meaning is usually given as "resurrection", but its literal translation is "she who shall rise up again". The name, and its male counterpart, were often given to Greek children born around Easter time during the early days of Christianity. It is the name of several early saints. Anastasia of Sirmium, a second century Christian saint martyred at Sirmium, is commemorated during the second Mass on Christmas Day each year by the Roman Catholic Church and is the patron saint of weavers. The best known Anastasia is the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia. Legends about her possible survival persisted throughout the 20th century and have been the subject of numerous books and films. |