Hieromartyrs Nicander, Bishop of Myra, and Hermas the Presbyter (I)

The Hieromartyrs Nicander, bishop of Myra, and Hermas the presbyter were disciples of the holy Apostle Titus (commemorated 25 August), who also ordained them to holy orders. By their unwearying labours the Lord’s chosen ones converted many pagans to Christianity. For this they were seized and brought for interrogation to Libanius, the head of the city. The tormentors could not turn the holy martyrs from the saving faith either by cunning persuasion or by threats, after which they tortured them cruelly: they were dragged tied to horses, their bodies were torn with iron hooks, and they were thrown into a heated furnace. But with the Lord’s help the martyrs endured what cannot be endured by human strength. At last the executioners threw the martyrs into a pit and buried them alive.