Martyr
Martyrs Menodora, Metrodora and Nymphodora
† 305–311
Also known as: Мцц. Минодора, Митродора и Нимфодора, Минодора, Митродора и Нимфодора Вифинские, Мученицы-сестры Минодора, Митродора и Нимфодора
Three virgin sisters from Bithynia who lived as ascetics in the wilderness and were martyred under the governor Fronto in the early fourth century.
The holy virgins Menodora, Metrodora and Nymphodora were sisters from Bithynia in Asia Minor. Seeking to preserve their virginity, they settled on a deserted hill near the warm springs of Pythia and lived in fasting and prayer; healings worked through their prayers made them known throughout the region.
During the persecution under Maximian (305–311) the governor Fronto had them arrested and tried to win them over with promises of honours and noble husbands. When they refused, he had Menodora, the eldest, beaten to death. Four days later her body was laid before her sisters; Metrodora was hung up, burned with candles and beaten with iron rods until she died, and Nymphodora was torn with iron claws and beaten to death.
According to the Life, the fire prepared for their bodies was put out by heavy rain and Fronto was struck by lightning. Christians buried the sisters in one tomb at the warm springs of Pythia, where a church was later built. Parts of their relics are kept on Mount Athos, in the St Panteleimon Monastery and, for the hand of St Metrodora, in the Pantokrator Monastery.