Today, the Church honors Sts. Nicander, Bishop of Myra, and st. Hermas the Presbyter, Martyrs.
Orate pro nobis.
Nicander and Hermas were disciples of the holy Apostle Paul’s follower and fellow ascetic, the holy Apostle Titus of the Seventy, who was made the Bishop of Crete, and they were ordained by him to the priesthood, and later he ordained Nicander to be the Bishop of Myra.
Living the ascetic life amid incessant pastoral works, the saints converted many pagans to Christ. For this they were arrested in the early 2nd century. AD and brought before the city prefect, Libanius. Neither flattery nor threats swayed the holy martyrs to renounce Jesus. Then Libanius gave orders that they be tortured.
The saints endured fierce and inhuman torments: they were tied to horses and dragged over stones, their bodies were raked with iron hooks, and they were cast into a hot oven. The Lord helped them endure things that a mere man by his own strength could not endure. Towards the end, iron nails were hammered into their heads and hearts. They were thrown into a pit, then covered over with earth.
After enduring such a cruel death, now they live forever in the joy of the Lord.
Almighty God, who gave to your servants Nicander and Hermas boldness to confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
