Baring-Gould’s sources: Greek Mensea and Menology, also the Russian {Calendar. Inserted by Baronius in the Modem Roman Martyrology. Authority: — The Acts by Metaphrastes founded on earlier acts.] Menodora, Metrodora, and Nymphodora were three virgin sisters, Christians, living in Bithynia, equally beautiful and good. Shunning the society of men, they lived together in tender love and earnest piety, near the Pythian baths, hot springs in Bithynia, the situation of which cannot now be fixed.

The news of their virtues and religious profession reached Fronto, Governor of Bithynia under Galerius [Diocletian’s co-emperor in the East and driving force of the Great Persecution], and he summoned them to his presence. When they were introduced, Fronto was struck with their modest appearance, their down-cast eyes, and the blush that mantled their fair cheeks. He addressed them gently, and asked their names and country.

“ We are three sisters, called at our baptism, Menodora, Metrodora, and Nymphodora; as for our country, we are natives of Bithynia. We had but one mother and one father, and we were dearly and equally loved by both; and we walk in their pious steps,”

“ Dear maidens,” said the Prsefect, “ do not turn to no advantage your noble opportunities and gifts of nature. Let me be a father to yon, care for you, and provide for your welfare. I will protect you, and my gods shall watch over you.”

“ We thank thee,” said the maidens; “ but what thou offerest is impossible for us to accept. All we ask of thee is that as we have lived together on earth, we may be suffered to die together, and be laid together in one bed of cold earth.”

The Prefect having vainly used all his blandishments to induce the three damsels to conform to the established religion, said sullenly, “ Let the law, then, take its course. Remove the two younger, and let Menodora be beaten.” Her back was bared, and she was strung up to a post. Rods were used, and her fair thin skin reddened and purpled under the blows. But she kept her eyes on heaven, and a light rose tinted her cheeks. The magistrate once more addressed her, but she answered him with so firm a heart, that he lost patience, and ordered her to be beaten over the mouth. A blow of a cudgel broke her jaws. Then she sighed to Christ to take her * her body sank, dragging at the wrists, like a broken lily bound to a stake; and she was dead.

Four days after, the two surviving sisters were brought into court, and there saw the body of Menodora lying on the sand, stripped, purple and black, and with the wounds gaping. It was a loathsome sight, and the magistrate hoped that the horror of it would shake the resolutions of the younger maidens. But it had a contrary effect. “ If you will but sacrifice/’ said Fronto, “ I will write concerning you to the Emperor, and obtain for you noble and wealthy husbands.”

“ Sir,” said one of the damsels, “ we are three branches sprung from one good root. We cannot shame the noble root that bare us by accepting what you offer, or listening to your commands.”

Then Fronto ordered Metrodora to be hung up, and her tender skin burnt with torches. For two hours the torture continued, and all that time her voice rose in supplication to her Lord. At last it sank to silence; she was dead. Nymphodora, the youngest and the sweetest of face, was Sept. io.] S. Barypsabas.

plied with the same offers which had been made to her sisters. But she shook them off with indignation, and prepared herself to join her elder sisters. She was hung up by the wrists, and her sides torn with iron hooks. But she uttered not a word. Her large soft eyes were fixed steadily on the blue sky, and never swerved from the intensity of their gaze. Not a sound escaped her lips, only they moved slightly with inward prayer. At last Fronto, disgusted and angry, shouted, “ Finish the scene; put an end to her with clubs." So she laid her gentle soul, like a dove for sacrifice, in the hands of her Lord and Saviour.