Menander of Prusa

Holy Hieromartyr Menander of Prusa (Bithynia) was a presbyter and suffered in the first century, around the year 100, with his bishop Patricius and the presbyters Acacius and Polyaenus.

Patricius was bishop of the city of Prusa in Bithynia, in Asia Minor. He preached openly and boldly the teaching of Christ and rebuked the errors of the pagans. For this he was seized, with the three presbyters Acacius, Menander and Polyaenus, and brought to trial before the governor of the city, Julius. Julius was then leaving to seek healing at hot springs and ordered the bishop and his presbyters to follow him, bound in iron chains. After bathing in the warm springs Julius offered sacrifice to his gods and summoned Patricius and the other prisoners, commanding them to sacrifice to idols under threat of torments. Patricius answered, "I am a Christian and I worship the one true God, Jesus Christ, Who made heaven and earth and these hot springs for the good of all people." At Julius's command the saint was thrown into the boiling spring, but, praying with faith, he remained unharmed.

In his helpless anger Julius ordered the head of Bishop Patricius and of his three presbyters to be cut off. Menander is commemorated on 1 June, in the new style.