Dusty Feasts

Official feasts used to be an important part of the human community. People would gather together to remember something sacred, express their faith and hope for the future, and / or just be together formally, recognizing each other as being part of a shared community. Few things express a desire for shared companionship and social intimacy more than dining together. Sadly, the gathering together for feasting is increasingly a relic of the past – at least here in the West.

It need not be so! Today we will remember the ancient feasts.

The Feast Day of St. Pope Anastasius I

This is a Christian religious celebration of Anastasius I, a late 4th and early 5th century Bishop of Rome who is most well-remembered for his opposition to the early Church theologian Origen as well as for his opposition to the north African schism of Donatism. He was a contemporary of Augustine, Jerome, and Paulinus, and was considered a man of holiness.

Biography and Tradition – Feast Day Recipe – Prayer – Celebration Date

Biography and Tradition – Feast Day Recipe – Prayer – Celebration DateBiography and Tradition – Feast Day Recipe – Prayer – Celebration Date

Who is St. Pope Anastasius I?

Pope Anastasius I was the bishop of Rome from 27 November 399 to his death on 19 December 401.

Anastasius was born in Rome, and was the son of Maximus. He succeeded Siricius as pope and condemned the writings of the Alexandrian theologian Origen shortly after their translation into Latin. He fought against these writings throughout his papacy, and in 400 he called a council to discuss them. The council agreed that Origen was not faithful to the Church.

If Origen has put forth any other writings, you are to know that they and their author are alike condemned by me. The Lord have you in safe keeping, my lord and brother deservedly held in honour.

— letter to Simplicianus, 

During his reign, he also encouraged Christians in North Africa to fight Donatism. He instructed priests to stand and bow their head as they read from the gospels. Among his friends were Augustine, Jerome, and Paulinus. Jerome speaks of him as a man of great holiness who was rich in his poverty. He died in Rome and was eventually buried in the Catacomb of Pontian together with his immediate successor, Innocent I. Jerome also referred to Anastasius as Innocent’s father, although scholars have argued this was displaying a hierarchical relationship rather than a biological one.

Not much is known about this Pope, however, the following video covers what we do know:

What is something you can eat to celebrate the Feast Day of St. Pope Anastasius I?

Given that St. Pope Anastasius I was from Rome, and was a Bishop of Rome, it seems fitting then to celebrate his Feast day with Roman food.

Roman Stuffed Dates

Ingredients:

• 15 to 20 large dates, such as medjool
• 1 cup (125 g) walnuts*
• 1/3 cup (45 g) pine nuts*
• 1 teaspoon long pepper** or black pepper
• 1 cup (235 ml) honey
• Fine sea salt

*You can use either all walnuts or all pine nuts if you want.

Instructions:

1. Slice the dates lengthwise on one side. Don’t cut all the way through, just enough to open them up so you can fill them. Remove pits if necessary.
2. Grind the walnuts and pine nuts in a mortar. The historical recipe isn’t specific on the texture, so do what you like here. You could use a blender or food processor if you want a fine paste, but I like the coarser texture that you get with the mortar and pestle.
3. Grind the pepper as finely as possible. Biting into a big piece of it isn’t fun.
4. Mix the nuts and pepper until everything is evenly dispersed. Stuff the dates with the nut mixture. Pack as much of the stuffing as you can into each date, otherwise it’ll all fall out when you go to cook them. Close the date around the filling as much as possible, and continue until all the dates are filled.
5. Put the fine sea salt in a shallow bowl or plate and roll the stuffed dates in the salt.
6. Bring the honey to a simmer in a saucepan. Cook the honey for about 10 minutes, keeping an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t get too hot and boil over (it’s a huge, sticky, impossible mess if it does, trust me).
7. Add the dates to the honey, cut side up so the filling doesn’t come out. Spoon or push the honey over the dates and let them cook for about 45 seconds to 1 minute.
8. Remove the dates and set them on a plate or a piece of foil or parchment to cool completely, about 10 minutes.
9. Once the dates have cooled and are a bit less sticky, serve them forth.

For some additional notes and tips, I recommend visiting the link above. TastingHistory is a fantastic place to go and find out how to eat like the ancients.

What is a prayer to say for the Feast Day of St. Pope Anastasius I ?

(via catholicforlife.com)

O God, in Your goodness and wisdom You raise up leaders for Your Church who are rooted in Your Word and Your Will. Through the intercession of Your servant, St. Anastasius I, may we be loyal to our Faith in following their directions. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

When is the Feast Day of St. Pope Anastasius I celebrated?

The Feast Day of St. Pope Anastasius I is celebrated annually on 19 December.

I hope that everyone who celebrates has a wonderful day!