Saint Hieria of Nisibis, June 3
ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ Oύσα φρονουσών του μέρους Iερία, Nυμφώνος ουκ έμεινεν έξω Kυρίου. In the town of Nisibis, on the border with the Persian Empire yet under Roman control, there was a convent of women containing fifty nuns under the direction of the deaconess Bryene. One woman brought up by her and well instructed in the monastic life was Febronia (June 25). Febronia was the daughter of Bryene’s brother, and she was of extremely attractive appearance: her face and features were so beautiful that the eye could never be sated by gazing upon her. For this reason Bryene was twice as strict with her, wanting to protect her from outside temptations. She only ate once every other day, she slept while sitting on a stool, and she spent much time studying Holy Scripture. On Fridays, when all the sisters were gathered in the place of prayer, Bryene used to tell Febronia to read the divine words to them. Because, however, young married women used to come to the place of prayer on Sundays and Fridays to...