English Names, Greek Names, Russian Names

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There are several saints named Anastasia. St Anastasia of Sirmium was a fourth century martyr. December 25 is St Anastasia's Day.

St Anastasia the Patrician lived in the sixth century. In order to escape the advances of Emperor Justinian she dressed as a man and lived in a monastery for twenty-eight years.

Anastasia is strongly associated with the Grand Duchess Anastasia of Russia, who was the youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II. During the Russian Revolution her father was deposed and her family was imprisoned. They were later shot. Stories have emerged about how Anastasia escaped, and a grave containing the bodies of the rest of her family did not contain a body that fitted her description. An alternate version of the story was told in the animated film 'Anastasia'.

Other famous Anastasias include tennis player Anastasia Myskina and singer Anastacia. One of the Roman Emperor Constantine's sisters was named Anastasia. Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna lived in the 19th century. She caused scandal due to the suspicious circumstances of her husband's death, and bearing a child whose father was her personal secretary.