Nymphodora of Bithynia

Holy Martyr Nymphodora of Bithynia was one of three sister martyrs, Menodora, Metrodora and Nymphodora, who suffered in Bithynia, in Asia Minor, in the time of the emperors (305-311).

The three maidens, sisters by blood, wished to keep their life in virginity and not to touch the world. They chose a solitary place in the wilderness and led there a life of fasting and prayer. The fame of their holy life soon spread, for through their prayers healings of the sick began to be worked. Bithynia was then governed by an official, Fronto, who ordered them seized and brought to him. At first he tried to persuade them to renounce Christ, promising great honours and rewards, but the sisters confessed their faith firmly and rejected all his offers, saying that they did not value passing earthly goods and were ready to die for their heavenly Bridegroom. Enraged, the official poured out his fury on the eldest, Saint Menodora. The saint bore the torments manfully and at last cried: "Lord Jesus Christ, joy of my heart, my hope, receive my soul in peace", and with these words gave up her spirit to God.

After four days the younger sisters, Metrodora and Nymphodora, were brought to trial, and before them, to terrify them, was laid the wounded body of the eldest. The maidens wept for her, but remained unmoved. Then Saint Metrodora was tormented, and she died calling to her last breath on the Lord Jesus Christ. Then the third sister, Nymphodora, was brought. Before her lay the bodies of her elder sisters. Fronto hoped that the sight would frighten the young maiden. Pretending to regret her youth and beauty, he began to persuade her gently to worship the gods, promising her great rewards. Saint Nymphodora rejected his words and shared the fate of her sisters: she was tormented to death with blows of iron rods.

The bodies of the holy martyrs were to be burned on a pyre, but a strong rain put out the kindled fire, and lightning scorched Fronto and his servants. Christians took the sisters' bodies and buried them with honour near the so-⁠called Warm Waters in Pythia (Bithynia). A part of the relics of the holy martyrs is kept on Athos, in the Protection cathedral of the Russian Monastery of Saint Panteleimon, and the hand of Saint Metrodora is on the Holy Mountain, at the Pantokrator Monastery.

Their memory is kept on 23 September, in the new style. Lives of theirs were written by Saint Demetrius of Rostov.