The holy martyrs Menodora, Mitrodora, and Nymphodora were sisters from Bythinia. Brought up as Christians, they withdrew from the city into the desert to live for Christ alone, and gave themselves up to fasting, prayer, and work. They became famous as a source of healing illness, which brought them to the attention of the governor. He, astounded by their beauty, wanted to marry them off to noblemen, but they refused. He then out them to the torture to get them to renounce Christ. They died confessing the name of Jesus in the year 306.
You traded violent tortures and bitter death for eternal life. Three virgins professed the Uncreated Trinity before a false judge at the illegal trial. You followed the footsteps of the slaughtered Lamb when they pierced you with a sword. Pray for those who honor your memory.
Fearless as you were in your struggles for the Holy Trinity and because of your sisterly love for each other, you defeated the enemy of your spiritual life. Therefore, in the company of the five virgins you entered victoriously into the heavenly mansions where you are forever joyful with the angels in the presence of the King of all.
Ephesians 1: 1-9
Paul, by the will of God an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the holy ones [at Ephesus], believers in Christ Jesus. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has bestowed on us in Christ every spiritual blessing in the heavens! God chose us in him before the world began, to be holy and blameless in his sight, to be full of love; he likewise predestined us through Christ Jesus to be his adopted sons — such was his will and pleasure — that all might praise the glorious favor he has bestowed on us in his beloved.
It is in Christ and through his blood that we have been redeemed and our sins forgiven, so immeasurably generous is God’s favor to us. God has given us the wisdom to understand fully the mystery, the plan he was pleased to decree in. Christ.
Mark 7: 24-30
From that place Jesus went off to the territory of Tyre and Sidon. He retired to a certain house and wanted no one to recognize him; however, he could not escape notice. Soon a woman, whose small daughter had an unclean spirit, heard about him. She approached him and crouched at his feet. The woman who was Greek–a Syro-Phoenician by birth–began to beg him to expel the demon from her daughter. He told her: “Let the sons of the household satisfy themselves at table first. It is not right to take food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” “Please, Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the family’s leavings.” Then he said to her, “For such a reply, be off now! The demon has already left your daughter.” When she got home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.
Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com
Wednesday, September 9 –
