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Saint Snandulia of Persia and Venerable Saints Pimen and Nicholas · Saints and Scripture

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  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Saints and Scripture Podcast.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today is Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today we remember several saints, beginning with Saint Snandulia of Persia, a woman known for her compassion and care for Christian prisoners.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Snandulia lived in the city of Arbella.
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  SPEAKER_00: She visited those imprisoned for their faith in Christ.
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  SPEAKER_00: When she learned that Saints Joseph the priest and Athalus the deacon were in prison, she went at night with her servants.
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  SPEAKER_00: She bribed the guards with gold, and they allowed her to take the two saints to her home until daybreak.
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  SPEAKER_00: The saints were barely alive and could hardly speak.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Snandulia cared for them tenderly.
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  SPEAKER_00: She tended their wounds and kissed their injured hands and feet.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Joseph regained consciousness and saw her weeping.
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  SPEAKER_00: He told her that her compassion pleased God, but said her sorrow was not in keeping with Christian hope.
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  SPEAKER_00: She replied, When one is moved by compassion it is natural to weep.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Joseph said, You should not weep for us, for tortures born for Christ lead to eternal joy.
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  SPEAKER_00: The next morning the saints were returned to prison.
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  SPEAKER_00: After six months their wounds had somewhat healed.
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  SPEAKER_00: They could stand and walk a little, though Ethelus' hands remained limp.
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  SPEAKER_00: A judge named Zarothus came to the city offering sacrifices to pagan gods.
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  SPEAKER_00: Priests told him about Saints Joseph and Athalus, who had been tortured on orders from Prince Artisabor, head of the Magi of Persia.
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  SPEAKER_00: Their execution was delayed until they recovered.
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  SPEAKER_00: Zarothus summoned the martyrs.
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  SPEAKER_00: He tried to persuade them to offer sacrifice to the gods, first with flattery, then threats.
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  SPEAKER_00: When they refused, he had them beaten.
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  SPEAKER_00: He tried again to make them eat food offered to idols, but they refused.
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  SPEAKER_00: He ordered more beatings and commanded other Christians to stone them.
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  SPEAKER_00: Soldiers forced Christians from their homes to the judgment hall.
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  SPEAKER_00: They dug a hole and placed Saint Joseph in it.
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  SPEAKER_00: Christians were given stones to throw at him.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Snandulia was among them but refused to throw stones at Saint Joseph.
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  SPEAKER_00: They gave her a lance and told her to kill him.
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  SPEAKER_00: She said she would rather drive the lance into her own heart than harm the saint.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Joseph was eventually killed by the stones, and Saint Athelus was stoned to death as well.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Snandulia opened her hands to help those in need, but refused to lift her hands to do evil against Saint Joseph.
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  SPEAKER_00: We also remember Venerable Pyman, the Bulgarian of the Zografu Monastery on Mount Athos.
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  SPEAKER_00: Unfortunately, no further information is available about his life at this time.
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  SPEAKER_00: Finally, we honor Venerable Nicholas, known as the Radiant Star of the Georgians.
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  SPEAKER_00: He lived in the second half of the thirteenth century during the reign of King Vakhtang Athuri.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Nicholas was a great hymnographer and spiritual figure.
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  SPEAKER_00: Though few of his works survive, he composed many church services, including a canon of supplication for rain.
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  SPEAKER_00: He enriched Georgian spiritual literature with translations, likely including the canon for the blessing of holy water.
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  SPEAKER_00: Some of his works are preserved in manuscripts at the Everon Monastery on Mount Athos.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Nicholas reposed peacefully in thirteen oh eight.
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  SPEAKER_00: May the example of Saint Snandulia's compassion and the spiritual gifts of Saints Pemen and Nicholas inspire us in our faith and love.
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  SPEAKER_00: Let us pray.
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord, help us to show compassion like Saint Snandulia and to serve you with the gifts you give us as Saint Nicholas did.
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  SPEAKER_00: Strengthen our faith and guide our hearts.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God, amen.
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord help us to show compassion like Saint Snandulia and to serve you with the gifts you give us, as Saint Nicholas did.
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  SPEAKER_00: Strengthen our faith and guide our hearts.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God, amen.