| Saint Anstrudis of Laon | |
|---|---|
| Born | unknown Laon |
| Died | 688 |
| Honored in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Feast | 17 October |
Saint Anstrudis (Anstrude, Austru, or Austrude) (b. unknown - 688).
Anstrudis was the daughter of Saint Blandinus and Saint Salaberga, who were the founders of the Saint John the Baptist Convent at Laon. She was also the sister of Saint Baldwin.
When St. Salaberga withdrew from the world to become abbess at the convent, Anstrudis went with her. Upon her mother's death , Anstrudis became the abbess, albeit reluctantly. She was noted for her care for her sisters, her all night vigils, and her self-imposed austerities. Except on Sunday and Christmas, feast days, she ate only once a day. Ebroin, mayor of the place, viciously persecuted the Church of the day, and had her Anstrudis' killed.(?) The mayor also threatened Anstrudis, but her simple faith won him over.
Anstrudis died in 688 of natural causes. Her feast day is celebrated on 17 October. Anstrudis is remembered in the Gallican and Benedictines calendars.