By Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria
The Church today commemorates the Apostles Apelles, Luke, and Clement of the Seventy disciples, the women martyrs of Minodora, Mitrodora, Nymphodora and St. Isaiah the Conqueror of the Holy Basilica and Stavropegic Monastery of Kykkos.
Saints Minodora, Mitrodora, and Nymphodora were sisters and from an early age devoted themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ.
They came from a wealthy and aristocratic family. They were distinguished both for their rich education and for their modesty and prudence.
Their virtues made them dear to Christians and true role models for the youth of their time.
After the death of their parents, they retired to a place where they were deeply involved in prayer, study, exercise, and charity. With spiritual development, they received the gift of healing patients. Thus, many Christians were healed, and all three were arrested for their action. But they were not afraid, instead they courageously confessed their faith in God. They were terribly tortured, yet they remained steadfast to the end, and delivered their spirit to the Lord. When their relics were thrown into the fire, a heavy rain extinguished it.
