Nunechia of Corinth

Holy Martyr Nunechia of Corinth was one of the seven maiden martyrs who suffered with the Holy Martyr Leonidas in the time of Decius's persecution, around the year 250.

Leonidas, born in the Peloponnese, led a spiritual choir of women, and when the rest of the Christians of the region hid, the women led by him showed uncommon valour, being the only ones who confessed the faith openly. All were arrested a few days before Pascha in Troezen, in Argolis, and taken to Corinth, before the governor Venustus. He promised Leonidas glory and wealth if he would sacrifice to the gods, and he answered calmly that he had long ago renounced falsehood and feared only for the governor. The governor tried to convince the maidens that their teacher had given in, but they answered that they would offer sacrifice to their Lord Jesus Christ and were shut up. Called again, Leonidas said that he fulfilled all that the Ruler of heaven and earth commands, and the emperors' commands only if they are just. He was flayed alive, and his ribs were scorched with torches. The seven maidens, among them Nunechia, said that, though different in birth and sex, they were one in faith and in life, and were subjected to the same tortures, without yielding. The governor resolved to have them cast into the sea.

They were led to the shore, and Chariessa sang like Miriam, the sister of Moses, after the drowning of Pharaoh's host; the others repeated her song. On Holy Saturday they were put on a ship, and after about six kilometres stones were tied to their necks and their hands behind their backs. Leonidas was thrown first, saying: "Today I receive a second baptism, for the cleansing of the inner man." Then the seven maidens were given to the waves. Their bodies were found by Christians on the shore, and the place of burial was hallowed by a large church. In 1917, after visions in dreams of many believers, the relics of the eight martyrs were found, and miracles confirmed them; since then they have been a place of pilgrimage. Archaeological excavations also brought to light the ruins of a great church dedicated to Saint Leonidas.

Her memory is kept on 23 March and 29 April, in the new style. The account comes from the Synaxarion compiled by the Athonite hieromonk Makarios of Simonopetra.