Saint Platonida was originally a deaconess. Aspiring to the feats of a secluded life, she left the world and withdrew to the Nizibian desert, where she founded a convent for maidens. Blessed Platonida inspired the sisters of the convent with her pious and ascetic example.
The rule of the convent was characterized by strict regulations: the sisters ate only once a day and spent their free time in labor, especially in handicrafts. On Fridays, the day of remembrance of the Lord's sufferings, all activities ceased, and the sisters dedicated the day to prayer and contemplation, remaining in the temple and listening to the reading of the Holy Scriptures.
Blessed Platonida passed away and went to the Lord, to rejoice in the heavenly abodes.
On the same day, the memory of the holy equal-to-the-apostles Methodius, Archbishop of Moravia, and 120 martyrs in Persia, who were burned by King Shapur in the 4th century.
