From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   September 10th - Ss. Menodora, Metrodora and Nymphodora, Martyrs   
      
   THE "acts" of these martyrs are known only in the tenth-century version of   
   Simeon Metaphrastes, wherein they are represented as having been three   
   orphan   
   sisters who lived a life of solitude and good works in Bithynia, "near the   
   Pythian baths". During the persecution under Diocletian. and Maximian they   
   were   
   reported to Fronto, governor of the province, who had them brought before   
   him.   
   The beauty and modest carriage of the three girls touched his heart, and   
   when   
   they made a profession of Christianity he offered to be their protector if   
   they   
   would submit themselves to his gods. They gently refused his offer, asking   
   instead that as they had lived so might they die, all together. When he was   
   unable to make them change their minds, Fronto had Menodora beaten in   
   barbarous   
   fashion before the two others to shake their constancy, but even the sight   
   of   
   her mangled and dead body putrefying in the fierce sun did not move them.   
   "We   
   are three branches of the same good tree", said Metrodora, "nor will we   
   disgrace   
   the root from which we are sprung by doing as you wish." Then she was   
   tortured   
   with fire after she had been beaten, and was at last beheaded. But   
   Nymphodora,   
   the youngest, died under the blows of the scourges.   
   The Greek passio, so called, is printed in Migne, PG., vol. cxv; Latin   
   translation in Acta Sanctorum, September, vol. iii.   
      
      
   Another Version:   
   They were orphans of Bithynia, in Asia Minor, who were denounced as   
   Christians   
   and taken before the local Roman governor, named Fronto. They refused to   
   worship   
   the pagan gods, and Menodora was beaten to death, as was Nymphodora.   
   Metrodora   
   was tortured, burned, and beheaded.   
      
   The Holy Virgins Menodora, Nymphodora, and Metrodora (305-311), were sisters   
   from Bithynia (Asia Minor). Distinguished for their special piety, they   
   wanted   
   to preserve their virginity and avoid worldly associations. They chose a   
   solitary place for themselves in the wilderness and spent their lives in   
   deeds   
   of fasting and prayer.   
      
   Reports of the holy life of the virgins soon spread, since healings of the   
   sick   
   began to occur through their prayers. The Bithynia region was governed at   
   that   
   time by a man named Frontonus, who ordered that the sisters be arrested and   
   brought before him.   
      
   At first he tried to persuade them to renounce Christ, promising great   
   honors   
   and rewards. But the holy sisters steadfastly confessed their faith before   
   him,   
   rejecting all his suggestions. They told him that they did not value the   
   temporal things of this world, and that they were prepared to die for their   
   Heavenly Bridegroom, for death would be their gateway to eternal life.   
      
   Flying into a rage, the governor took out his wrath on St Menodora, the   
   eldest   
   sister. She was stripped of her clothes and beaten by four men, while a   
   herald   
   urged her to offer sacrifice to the gods. The saint bravely endured the   
   torments   
   and cried out, "Sacrifice? Can't you see that I am offering myself as a   
   sacrifice to my God?" Then they renewed their torments with even greater   
   severity. Then the martyr cried out, " Lord Jesus Christ, joy of my heart,   
   my   
   hope, receive my soul in peace." With these words she gave up her soul to   
   God,   
   and went to her Heavenly Bridegroom.   
      
   Four days later, they brought the two younger sisters Metrodora and   
   Nymphodora   
   to the court. They showed them the battered body of their older sister to   
   frighten them. The virgins wept over her, but remained steadfast.   
      
   Then St Metrodora was tortured. She died, crying out to her beloved Lord   
   Jesus   
   Christ with her last breath. Then they turned to the third sister,   
   Nymphodora.   
   Before her lay the bruised bodies of her sisters. Frontonus hoped that this   
   sight would intimidate the young virgin.   
      
   Pretending that he was charmed by her youth and beauty, he urged her to   
   worship   
   the pagan gods, promising great rewards and honors. St Nymphodora scoffed at   
   his   
   words, and shared the fate of her older sisters. She was tortured and beaten   
   to   
   death with iron rods.   
      
   The bodies of the holy martyrs were to be burned in a fire, but a heavy rain   
   extinguished the blazing fire, and lightning struck down Frontonus and his   
   servant. Christians took up the bodies of the holy sisters and reverently   
   buried   
   them at the so-called Warm Springs at Pythias (Bithynia).   
      
   Part of the relics of the holy martyrs are preserved on Mt. Athos in the   
   Protection cathedral of the St Panteleimon Russian monastery, and the hand   
   of St   
   Metrodora is on the Holy Mountain in the monastery of the Pantocrator .   
      
      
   Saint Quote   
   Perfection consists in one thing alone, which is doing the will of God. For,   
   according to Our Lord's words, it suffices for perfection to deny self, to   
   take   
   up the cross and to follow Him. -St. Vincent de Paul   
      
   Bible Quote   
   A going away again, he prayed, saying the same words. (Mark 14:39)   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Invocations in honor of the Holy Wounds of our Lord Jesus Christ:   
      
   On the LARGE beads:   
      
   Eternal Father, I offer Thee the WOUNDS of Our Lord Jesus Christ -- To heal   
   the wounds of our souls.   
      
   On the SMALL beads:   
      
   My Jesus, pardon and mercy -- Through the merits of Thy HOLY WOUNDS.   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart,   
   which no unworthy affection may drag   
   downwards; give us an unconquered heart,   
    which no tribulation can wear out;   
   give us an upright heart,   
   Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God,   
   understanding to know you,   
   diligence to seek you,   
    wisdom to find you and a faithfulness   
    that may finally embrace you;   
   through Jesus Christ our Lord.   
      
   St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)