Let us also bring forward examples from the nations. Many kings and rulers, when a time of plague arose, received an oracle and handed themselves over to death so that by their own blood they might rescue their fellow citizens. Many left their own cities so that rebellion would not continue any longer.
We know many among us who have handed themselves over to imprisonment so that they might ransom others. Many have handed themselves over to slavery and, receiving the price paid for them, used it to feed others.
Many women, strengthened through the grace of God, have accomplished many courageous deeds.
Blessed Judith, when her city was under siege, asked the presbyters to allow her to go out into the camp of the foreigners.
So, handing herself over to danger, she went out because of her love for her homeland and for the people who were under siege; and the Lord delivered Holofernes into the hand of a woman.
No less did Esther, perfect in faith, expose herself to danger so that she might rescue the nation of Israel when it was about to perish. Through her fasting and humility she appealed to the all-seeing Master of the ages, who saw the humility of her soul and rescued the people for whose sake she had taken the risk.