Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sofia
(Greek: Wisdom) - holy martyrs who lived in Rome in the 2nd century. To have an idea of the nature of the suffering of the holy martyrs, it is necessary to remember the time and circumstances under which their martyrdom was accomplished.
More than 100 years have passed since the disciples of Jesus Christ, the holy apostles, dispersed throughout the world to preach the Holy Gospel. At that time, the largest state was the Roman Empire, which was inhabited by pagan peoples. But every day there were more and more Christians in the Roman Empire. They were hated and feared by zealous pagans, and they were cursed by pagan priests. Christians were not allowed to build churches and for worship they gathered in remote houses or mountain caves. Christians were also persecuted by Roman rulers. Emperor Trajan issued a decree against Christians, ordering them to be openly accused, brought to trial and executed. Thousands of followers of Christ were crucified on crosses, burned at the stake, beheaded or hunted to death by wild animals.
During this difficult time for the Church, lived the pious Christian Sophia, which translated from Greek means “ Wisdom
". She was born and raised in a wealthy family. She was surrounded by many temptations and enticements of the world, but she zealously confessed the faith of Christ. Even when she married a pagan, her loving husband did not forbid her to believe in the Lord.
Living in an honest marriage, pious Sophia gave birth to three daughters and named them after the main Christian virtues: Pistis, Elpis, Agape, which translated from Greek means Faith, Hope, Love. Being a deeply religious Christian, Sophia raised her daughters in the love of God, teaching them not to become attached to earthly goods. The young women grew up in work and obedience, spending a lot of time on prayer and reading spiritual books.
Soon after the birth of her third daughter, Sofia lost her husband. Having sufficient material resources, Sophia completely devoted herself to the feats of Christian charity, helping the poor. She divided her property among the poor and moved with her daughters to Rome. She turned all her attention and care to raising children.
As the children grew, their virtues also increased. They already knew the prophetic and apostolic books well, were accustomed to listening to the teachings of their mentors, diligently read, and were diligent in prayer and in household chores. Obeying their holy and wise mother, they succeeded in everything. And since they were extremely beautiful and sensible, everyone soon began to pay attention to them.
The rumor about their wisdom and beauty spread throughout Rome. The ruler of the part of Rome where Sophia lived, the praetor Antiochus, also heard about them, and wanted to see them. The holy young women appeared to him and did not hide their faith in Christ. The angry Antiochus reported them to Emperor Hadrian (117–138), and he ordered them to be brought to his palace for trial and forced to renounce their faith.
Roman Emperor Hadrian
Sofia understood well what awaited her at this trial if she firmly professed the Christian faith and knew that for disobedience only one thing awaited them there - death...
Sofia was worried about her daughters, whom, as she knew, the judges would not hesitate to hand over to torture. Whether they would stand up to confession or not was what worried her. Understanding why they were being taken to the emperor, the holy virgins fervently prayed to the Lord Jesus Christ, asking Him to send them strength not to be afraid of the upcoming torment and death.
When the holy virgins and their mother appeared before the emperor, all those present were amazed at their calmness: it seemed that they were invited to a bright celebration, and not to torture. Calling his sisters one by one, Adrian convinced them to sacrifice to the goddess Artemis. The young maidens (Vera was 12, Nadezhda – 10 and Lyubov – 9 years old) remained adamant.
Saint Sophia with her daughters before Emperor Hadrian
Surprised by the courage of the young Christian women, the emperor, not wanting to enter into a long conversation with them and judge them, sent Sophia along with her daughters to a noble Roman pagan Palladium, whom he ordered to convince them to renounce their faith. However, all the arguments and eloquence of the pagan mentor were in vain, and the holy virgins, ardent with faith, did not change their convictions. Then, after 3 days, they were again brought to Emperor Hadrian.
Seeing that it was not possible to convince “in a good way,” the angry emperor ordered them to be cruelly tortured and subjected to various tortures: the holy maidens were burned on an iron grate, thrown into a red-hot furnace and into a cauldron with boiling resin, but the Lord preserved them with His Invisible Power.
Feat of Holy Faith
The executioners started with Vera, Sofia's eldest daughter. In front of her mother and sisters, they began to mercilessly beat her with whips, tearing parts from her body. Then they placed her on a hot iron grate. By the power of God, the fire did not cause any harm to the body of the holy martyr. Maddened by cruelty, Adrian did not understand the miracle of God and ordered the girl to be thrown into a cauldron of boiling tar. But by the will of the Lord, the cauldron cooled down and did not cause any harm to the confessor. Then she was sentenced to beheading with a sword.
Feat of Saint Hope
The younger sisters Nadezhda and Lyubov, inspired by the courage of their older sister, endured similar torments.
Young Nadezhda was first scourged and then thrown into the fire. But the fire did not harm her. Then they hung her from a tree and began to scratch her body with iron hooks. After this, Nadezhda was thrown into a cauldron of boiling resin. But then a miracle happened: the cauldron split, and the resin spilled out, burning the executioners. However, this did not bring the emperor to his senses - anger overshadowed his conscience and reason. He ordered her head to be cut off.
Feat of Saint Love
The youngest, Lyubov, was tied to a huge wheel and beaten with sticks until her body turned into a continuous bloody wound. Having endured unprecedented torment, holy Love was also beheaded.
Saint Sophia was not subjected to physical torture. She was subjected to another, most severe torture: the mother was forced to watch her daughters suffer. But she showed extraordinary courage and all the time convinced the girls to endure torment in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. All three girls joyfully met their martyrdom. They were beheaded.
To prolong Saint Sophia’s mental suffering, the emperor allowed her to take the bodies of her daughters. Sophia put their remains in an ark and took them with honors in a chariot outside the city and buried them in a high place. For three days Saint Sophia, without leaving, sat at the grave of her daughters and, finally, there she gave up her soul to the Lord. The believers buried her body in the same place. They suffered in 137.
Thus, three girls and their mother showed that for people strengthened by the grace of the Holy Spirit, lack of bodily strength does not in the least serve as an obstacle to the manifestation of spiritual strength and courage. With their holy prayers, may the Lord strengthen us in the Christian faith and in a virtuous life.
Saint Sophia, having endured great mental anguish for Christ, together with her daughters was canonized by the Church.
History of the relics
The relics of the holy martyrs Faith, Nadezhda, Love and their mother Sophia from 777 until the French Revolution (1789) rest in Alsace, in the Benedictine abbey founded by Bishop Remigius of Strasbourg around 770 on the island of Eschau (formerly Hascgaugia, Hascowia, Aschowa , Eschowe, which literally translates as "ash island").
Church of Saint Trophime in the town of Eschaut in eastern France, near Strasbourg. Church of St. Trophima was previously the center of the extensive Benedictine Abbey of St. Sofia, destroyed after the French Revolution (1789).
The venerable relics received by Bishop Remigius from Pope Adrian I were transferred from Rome to the abbey on May 10, 777. Bishop Remigius “solemnly brought the relics on his shoulders from Rome and placed them in the monastery church dedicated to Saint Trophimus” (Testament of Remigius, March 15, 778).
From then on, Saint Sophia became the patroness of the monastery in Esho, which was called the Abbey of Saint Sophia in her honor.
The relics of the holy martyrs attracted many pilgrims, so Abbess Cunegunda decided to build a “Hotel for pilgrims coming from all sides” on the ancient Roman road leading to the village of Esho, which had grown around the abbey.
In 1792, 3 years after the French Revolution, the monastery buildings were sold at auction for 10,100 livres. A tavern with a wine cellar was built in the monastery. Where the relics disappeared remains unknown. In 1822, the tavern was destroyed along with other monastery premises. After the remains of the monastery church of St. Trophim were declared a historical monument in 1898, the gradual restoration of the monastery began.
A sarcophagus made of sandstone from the 14th century, in which the honest relics of Sts. were kept before the Revolution. Sofia and her daughters. Sarcophagus with one of the particles of the relics of St. Sophia is decorated with time-erased drawings of scenes from the lives of the holy martyrs. Since 1938, it has contained one of the two particles of the relics of St. Sophia, brought from Rome in the same year.
On April 3, 1938, Catholic Bishop Charles Rouch brought two new pieces of the relics of St. Sophia to Esho from Rome. One of them was placed in a sarcophagus made of sandstone in the 14th century, in which the relics of St. were kept before the revolution. Sophia and her daughters, and the other - in a small reliquary, placed in a shrine with other shrines. From 1938 to this day, the sarcophagus contains one of the two particles of the relics of St. Sofia. Above the sarcophagus are sculptures of the holy martyr Christopher, St. Martyrs Faith, Nadezhda, Lyubov and Sophia, as well as Bishop Remigius, founder of the abbey.
Above the sarcophagus there are sculptures (from left to right): St. Martyr Christopher (250), St. martyrs Vera, Nadezhda, Lyubov and Sophia, Bishop Remigius, founder of the abbey.
Faith, Hope, Love - in art
Faith, Hope and Love are the names of the holy martyrs. However, Faith, Hope, Love are also Christian virtues that are mentioned in the New Testament (1st Epistle to the Corinthians of the Apostle Paul): “ And now these three remain: faith, hope, love; but love is the greatest
«.
Vasnetsov. “The joy of the righteous in the Lord (The threshold of Paradise).” Triptych (left side). The holy martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia are depicted on the left side of the triptych by Viktor Vasnetsov “The Joy of the Righteous in the Lord (The Threshold of Paradise).” The righteous, striving for the gates of Paradise, are accompanied by angels, supporting them and showing them the way. Faith, Hope and Love fearfully cling to their mother Sophia, not believing that their inhuman suffering is behind them.
In Orthodox art it is customary to depict Faith, Hope and Love precisely as holy martyrs, therefore on the icons they are represented as little girls along with Mother Sophia.
Faith, Love, Hope. Stained glass window in St. John's Church in Llandenny (Wales, UK)
In Western art, Faith, Hope and Love are usually depicted as adult women symbolizing Christian virtues. Faith is often depicted with a cross, Hope with an anchor, and Love surrounded by children. When Faith, Hope and Love are depicted side by side, Love is always in the center.
Lessons from the life of the holy family
The holy children Faith, Hope and Love were awarded the crown of martyrdom and unspeakable bliss in the heavenly chambers of the Lord God. They had within them “a pillar of faith, wings of hope and the fire of love.”
Saint Sophia, having deep faith in God and in the future eternal life, convinced her daughters not to value their blooming youth, their temporary life for the sake of acquiring a future life, and this showed them the greatest love.
We must also look at this short-term, fleeting life and not prefer anything to the future eternal life, which will have no end. Our life is short-lived and it is given to us to prepare ourselves for eternity. Our earthly life is like steam that appears, then disappears, and then it is no more. A person is born, blossoms with health and beauty, then grows old and dies - and there is no more person. And if so, then sacrificing temporary life for the sake of higher goals is a commendable thing. If laying down your life for your neighbor is a high degree of virtue, then sacrificing it for the sake of Christ is a martyrdom, which will be crowned by the Lord Himself. After all, His word says:
Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel will save it (Mark 8:35)
.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but fear Him more who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna (Matthew 10:28)
.
Whoever confesses Me before men, him will I also confess before My Father in heaven (Matthew 10:32).
Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and whoever loves a son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me (Matthew 10:37).
Thus, the Lord demands from us sacrificial love for Him, love by deed, just as the holy martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia testified to it by offering their lives to Him.
Holy martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Saint Sophia
Troparion, tone 4
The Church of the Firstborn triumphs, / and the mother rejoices in receiving her children, / as she is named after wisdom / with the triple theological virtue of her equal race.
/ You and the wise virgins behold the ignorant Bridegroom of God the Word, / with her, we too rejoice spiritually in their memory, saying: / Champions of the Trinity, / Faith, Love and Hope, / strengthen us in faith, love and hope. Kontakion, tone 1
of Sophia, the honorable most sacred branches, Faith and Hope and Love, appearing, enveloping wisdom with Hellenic grace, and the sufferer, and the victorious one appearing, tied with an incorruptible crown from all the Lord Christ.
An investigative documentary from the series “SAINTS”
SAINTS.
Faith, Hope, Love Information about the film Title
Original title
: SAINTS.
Faith, Hope, Love Year of release
: 2011
Genre
: Documentary series
Director
: Alexey Chernov
Presenter
: Ilya Mikhailov-Sobolevsky
Expert
: Arkady Tarasov
About the film
: Faith, Hope and Love are symbols of happiness, family and motherhood. But why then for many centuries these saints have been asking for something other than love and marriage? It is believed that they are the ones who are able to restore courage and fortitude in moments of extreme despair.
Among the large number of icons, there is one that personifies the three most important Christian virtues at once. It is the icon of Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia. To understand the meaning of the icon of Faith, Hope and Love, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the lives of the martyrs depicted on it.
The story of the martyrs Vera, Nadezhda, Lyubov and Sophia
The holy righteous women are revered throughout the Orthodox world as the personification of holiness and purity, devotion to the Lord and courage in serving Him.
In the 2nd century, during the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117-138), the pious widow Sophia lived in Rome (the name Sophia means “wisdom”). She had three daughters who bore the names of the main Christian virtues: Faith, Hope and Love. Being a deeply religious Christian, Sophia raised her daughters in the love of God, teaching them not to become attached to earthly goods. The rumor that this family belonged to Christianity reached the emperor, and he wished to personally see the three sisters and the mother who raised them.
All four appeared before the emperor and fearlessly confessed their faith in Christ, risen from the dead and giving eternal life to all who believe in Him. Surprised by the courage of the young Christian women, the emperor sent them to a pagan woman, whom he ordered to convince them to renounce their faith. However, all the arguments and eloquence of the pagan mentor were in vain, and the Christian sisters, ardent with faith, did not change their convictions. Then they were again brought to Emperor Hadrian, and he began to insistently demand that they make a sacrifice to the pagan gods. But the girls indignantly rejected his order.
“We have a Heavenly God,” they answered, “we want to remain his children, but we spit on your gods and are not afraid of your threats. We are ready to suffer and even die for the sake of our dear Lord Jesus Christ.”
Then the angry Adrian ordered the children to be subjected to various tortures. The executioners started with Vera. In front of her mother and sisters, they began to beat her mercilessly and tear off parts of her body, placing her on a hot iron grate. By the power of God, the fire did not cause any harm to the body of the holy martyr. Maddened by cruelty, Adrian did not understand the miracle of God and ordered the girl to be thrown into a cauldron of boiling tar. But by the will of the Lord, the cauldron cooled down and did not cause any harm to the confessor. Then she was sentenced to beheading with a sword. “I will gladly go to my beloved Lord the Savior,” said Saint Vera. She courageously bowed her head under the sword and thus surrendered her spirit to God.
The younger sisters Nadezhda and Lyubov, inspired by the courage of their older sister, endured similar torments. The fire did not harm them, then their heads were cut off with a sword. Saint Sophia was not subjected to physical torture, but she was doomed to even more severe mental torment from separation from the tortured children. The sufferer buried the honest remains of her daughters and did not leave their grave for two days. On the third day, the Lord sent her a quiet death and accepted her long-suffering soul into the heavenly abodes.
Saint Sophia, having endured great mental anguish for Christ, together with her daughters was canonized by the Church. They suffered in 137. The eldest, Vera, was then 12 years old, Nadezhda - 10, and the youngest Lyubov - only 9 years old. Thus, three girls and their mother showed that for people strengthened by the grace of the Holy Spirit, lack of bodily strength does not in the least serve as an obstacle to the manifestation of spiritual strength and courage. With their holy prayers, may the Lord strengthen us in the Christian faith and in a virtuous life.
The icon of Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia appeared in Kievan Rus shortly after her baptism. For many centuries, the names of saints were considered common symbols of the main virtues of Christians, so it was not customary to give them to newborn girls. Later, these names began to gradually come into use. Therefore, the family icon, which depicted the martyrs Sophia, Vera, Nadezhda, and Love, became widely known. A holiday was proclaimed in honor of the saints, which falls on September 30.
- Article: 44389
- Material: Gold 585 "green"
- Height: 23 mm.
- Width: 12 mm.
A fine miniature of jewelry plasticity is reflected in this body icon, depicting a Guardian Angel with open wings. In the hands of the Angel is an eight-pointed Orthodox cross and a round medallion with the image of the holy martyr Sophia. The holy righteous woman was a Christian and raised three daughters in labor, fasting and prayer, named after Christian virtues: Faith, Hope, Love. On the reverse side of the icon, among the openwork ornament, are the words of the prayer of St. Sophia.
Such speech irritated the tormentor even more, and he ordered the cauldron to be filled with tar and oil, set on fire and the saint thrown into it. But when they wanted to throw the saint into a boiling cauldron, it immediately melted like wax, and the resin and oil spilled and scorched everyone around. So the miraculous power of God did not leave St. Hope.The proud tormentor, seeing all this, did not want to know the true God, for his heart was darkened by demonic charm and destructive delusion. But, ridiculed by the little girl, he felt great shame. Not wanting to endure such a shame any longer, he finally condemned the saint to be beheaded by the sword. The young woman, hearing about the approach of her death, joyfully approached her mother and said:
- My mother! May peace be with you, be healthy and remember your daughter.
The mother hugged and kissed her, saying:
- My daughter Nadezhda! Blessed are you from the Lord God Most High because you trust in Him and for His sake you do not regret shedding your blood; go to your sister Vera and together with her come to your Beloved.
Nadezhda also kissed her sister Lyubov, who was looking at her torment, and said to her:
“Don’t stay here and you, sister, we will appear together before the Holy Trinity.”
Having said this, she approached the lifeless body of her sister Vera and, lovingly hugging him, out of the inherent nature of human pity, she wanted to cry, but out of love for Christ she changed her tears to joy. After this, bowing his head, St. Hope was cut off by the sword.
Taking her body, the mother glorified God, rejoicing at the courage of her daughters, and encouraged her youngest daughter to the same patience with her sweet words and wise admonitions.
The tormentor called on the third girl, Love, and tried with affection to persuade her, like the first two sisters, to retreat from the Crucified One and bow to Artemis. But the efforts of the seducer were in vain. For who can suffer so firmly for His beloved Lord if not Love, since the Scripture says: “love is strong as death... Great waters cannot extinguish love, and rivers cannot drown it” (Song. 8:6- 7).
The many waters of worldly temptations did not extinguish the fire of love for God in this young woman, nor did the rivers of troubles and suffering drown her; her great love was especially clearly visible from the fact that she was ready to lay down her life for her Beloved, the Lord Jesus Christ, and after all, there is no greater love than to lay down your life for your friends (John 15:13).
The tormentor, seeing that nothing could be done with caresses, decided to give Love over to suffer, thinking with various torments to distract her from love for Christ, but she answered, according to the Apostle:
-Who will separate us from the love of God: sorrow, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or the sword? (Rom.8:15).
The torturer ordered, stretching her across the wheel, to beat her with a stick. And she was stretched out in such a way that the members of her body were separated from their joints and she, being struck with a stick, became covered with purple blood, with which the earth was watered, as if from rain.
| Victor Vasnetsov (1848-1926) The joy of the righteous in the Lord (The threshold of Paradise)Triptych (left part, 1885-1896) Sketch of paintings for the Vladimir Cathedral in Kyiv, cardboard State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow Vasnetsov left a wonderful monument of himself to the Russian people - thirty images of Russian saints. The righteous, striving for the gates of Paradise, are accompanied by angels, supporting them and showing them the way. Faith, Hope and Love fearfully cling to their mother Sophia, not believing that their inhuman suffering is behind them. |
Then the stove was lit. Pointing at her, the torturer said to the saint:
- Girl! just say that the goddess Artemis is great, and I will let you go, and if you don’t say this, then you will immediately burn in this kindled furnace.
But the saint answered:
“Great is my God Jesus Christ, Artemis and you will perish with her!”
The tormentor, enraged by such words, ordered those present to immediately throw her into the oven.
But the saint, without waiting for anyone to throw her into the oven, she herself hastened to enter it and, being unharmed, walked through the middle of it, as if in a cool place, singing and blessing God, and rejoiced.
At the same time, a flame flew out of the oven onto the infidels surrounding the oven, and burned some to ashes, and scorched others and, reaching the king, burned him too, so that he fled far.
In that oven, other faces shining with light were visible, rejoicing along with the martyr. And the name of Christ was exalted, and the wicked were put to shame.
When the stove went out, the martyr, the beautiful bride of Christ, came out of it healthy and cheerful, as if from a palace.
Then the tormentors, by order of the king, drilled her limbs with iron drills, but God strengthened the saint with His help in these torments, so that she did not die from them either.
Who could endure such torment and not die instantly?!
However, the beloved Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, strengthened the saint in order to put the wicked to shame as much as possible, and to give her a greater reward, and so that the mighty power of God would be glorified in the weak vessel of man.
The tormentor, sick from the burn, finally ordered to behead the saint with a sword.
She, hearing about this, rejoiced and said:
“Lord Jesus Christ, who loved Thy servant Love, I sing and bless Thy much-sung name for the fact that Thou hast punished me together with the sisters, making me worthy to endure for Thy name the same thing that they endured.”
Her mother St. Sophia, without ceasing, prayed to God for her youngest daughter, that He would grant her patience to the end and told her:
“My third branch, my beloved child, strive to the end.” You are walking the good path and a crown has already been woven for you and the prepared palace has opened, the Bridegroom is already waiting for you, looking from above at your feat, so that when you bow your head under the sword, he will take your pure and immaculate soul into his arms and rest you in peace. your sisters. Remember me, your mother, in the kingdom of your Bridegroom, so that he will show mercy to me and not deprive me of participating and being with you in His holy glory.
And immediately holy Love was beheaded with a sword.
The mother, having accepted her body, placed it in an expensive coffin along with the bodies of saints Faith and Hope and, having decorated their bodies as it should, placed the coffin on a funeral chariot, drove them out of the city some distance and buried her daughters with honor on a high hill, crying from joy. While at their grave for three days, she fervently prayed to God and herself rested in the Lord. Believers buried her there along with her daughters. Thus, she did not lose her participation with them in the Kingdom of Heaven and the martyrdom, because if not with her body, then with her heart, she suffered for Christ.
Thus, the wise Sophia ended her life wisely, bringing her three virtuous daughters Faith, Hope and Love as a Gift to the Holy Trinity.
Oh, holy and righteous Sophia! What woman was saved through childbearing like you, who gave birth to such children who were ignorant of the Savior and, having suffered for Him, now reign with Him and are glorified? Truly you are a mother worthy of wonder and good memory; since, looking at the terrible, severe torment and death of your beloved children, you not only did not grieve, as is typical for a mother, but, consoled by the grace of God, you rejoiced more, you yourself taught and begged your daughters not to regret this temporary life and to shed their blood without mercy for Christ the Lord. “Lives of the Saints” Dimitri Rostovsky
Prayer and the meaning of the icon Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia
If you are interested in what the personalized icon of Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia helps with, please note that she is the patroness of the family hearth. Prayer in front of the image will help save a marriage, strengthen the family hearth, and protect the family from the evil intentions of ill-wishers. Married women pray to the personal icon for the return of harmony, love and peace to the family, unmarried women - for a successful marriage and a child, sick - for overcoming illnesses and good health. You can buy a personalized icon of the holy martyrs Faith, Nadezhda, Love and their mother Sophia at the best price in the workshop of Vladimir Mikhailov. Unique pendants made of precious metals amaze with their sophistication and beauty. Today, the icon of Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia is more than relevant as an affirmation of spiritual values over material ones.
As you know, the three Christian virtues are faith, hope and love. It is these qualities that Christian believers cultivate in themselves. There is also an icon “Faith, Hope, Love”, but this image does not imprint some abstract properties of a believer, but very real saints who relatively recently lived on this earth and served as an example to other believers.
History of the icon “Faith, Hope, Love”
In the Roman Empire at the beginning of the 2nd century AD, in the domain of Emperor Hadrian, there lived a noble woman who bore a name meaning “wise” - Sophia. When her daughters were born, she gave the names of the great Christian virtues: Faith, Hope and Love. That is why, when we now consider what the icon “Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia” means ,
then not only the direct meaning is indicated, but also the deep meaning, which points to the figures of the image, which also embody virtues in the flesh.
Sofia was an extremely religious person and wanted to teach her children to believe in divine help and raise them from early childhood not to become attached to material needs. In addition, Sofia was widowed in a short period after the birth of the girls and therefore completely devoted herself to Christianity and raised her daughters in this vector. The girls became righteous from a young age and prayed and fasted a lot and studied the scriptures. Rumors about the Christian family quickly spread throughout Rome, and the emperor, having learned about this, ordered them to be brought to him to see in person.
Standing before the emperor, without lowering their eyes, they told Adrian about God, and in fits of anger, he ordered to extort their loyalty to Christ from the girls - by force. And the first person the executioners tried to punish with fire torture was the elder sister Vera, but prayers helped her overcome this element. And the order came to cut off the girl’s head; without fear, she brought her head up.
The eldest's feat gave strength to those remaining in her family to fight. The sisters were subjected to similar torment, but did not reject their faith until the very end. Sofia suffered severe mental pain, despite all this, she experienced much more. After the girls' remains were buried on the hill, Sophia prayed there for three days and then died peacefully.
Other saints
Until recently, Nadezhda of Rome was the only saint with that name, but at the beginning of the 21st century. Three more Hopes were canonized. All of them accepted martyrdom for their faith during the era of Stalinist repressions.
March 14 is the day of remembrance of St. Nadezhda Abbakumova (1880-1938). She lived in the village of Martynovskoye (Moscow region) and since 1928 was a church warden. March 2, 1938 Nadezhda was arrested on charges of anti-Soviet propaganda, and on March 14 she was shot.
No less sad was the fate of Nadezhda Kruglova (1887-1938). Since 1907, she was a novice at the Trinity Monastery, located in the Ryazan province. In 1919, the monastery was closed, and Nadezhda became a servant in the temple, but then it was closed too. The woman worked in a factory, but kept in touch with the former abbess and other nuns. This was the reason for the accusation of anti-Soviet agitation, and in March 1928 Nadezhda was shot. The day of remembrance of this saint is March 20.
Nadezhda Azhgerevich (1877-1937) also prepared to become a nun, but did not have time - the new government closed the monasteries. In Moscow, where she came from the Minsk province, she did not have her own home, and she lived with one or another nun from a closed monastery. In October 1937, the woman was arrested. The charge was stereotypical for that time: “anti-Soviet agitation and participation in a counter-revolutionary group.” A death sentence and execution soon followed. The day of remembrance of this holy martyr is celebrated on October 21.
The meaning of the icon “Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia”
Courage and fortitude are what this family showed. Despite the blows of the emperor's executioners, the power of God's Spirit made it possible to survive the punishment. And for this act the women were canonized.
Therefore, the icon “Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia” helps many believers who turn to the image to strengthen their faith.
The image itself points to Christian virtues, which come from one source - wisdom, which in turn is embodied in Sophia.
It was Sofia who gave her daughters a righteous upbringing so that they could be strong in the faith. By the way, the girls were no more than 12 years old at the time of execution, that is, they were very young and not every child at that age is generally conscious. These children, in turn, managed not only to receive blessings from the Lord, but also to withstand the harsh outside world, which appeared in the form of a harsh emperor.
Many believers can see interesting analogies with Christ in this story. Just as the Savior appeared before the Roman procurator, so Sophia and her daughters also appeared before a representative of the authorities. They followed the example of the Savior and also openly preached the doctrine. In addition, they were also tempted, first by a pagan woman, whose mother and daughters were lodged during their stay in Rome, and then by the emperor himself. Adrian told the holy family about what benefits they could gain if they joined the pagan faith and spoke about the torments that awaited them if they remained in Christianity. As believers know, Satan tempted Christ in a similar way.
Prayers
Troparion of the martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia, tone 4
The Church of the first-born triumphs, / and the mother rejoices in receiving the joy of her children, / like the wisdom of the same name / with the triple theological virtue of the equal race. / You and the wise virgins behold the ignorant Bridegroom of God the Word, / with her, we too rejoice spiritually in their memory, saying: / Champions of the Trinity, / Faith, Love and Hope, / strengthen us in faith, love and hope.
Kontakion of the martyrs Faith, Nadezhda, Lyubov and their mother Sophia, tone 1
Kontakion of the Martyrs, Tone 1
Honest Sophia's most sacred branches/ Faith and Hope and Love appeared,/ wisdom was filled with Hellenic grace,/ both the sufferer and the victorious one appeared,// tied to the Lord Christ as an incorruptible crown from all.
The glorification of the martyrs Faith, Nadezhda, Lyubov and their mother Sophia
We magnify you, holy martyrs, Vera, Nadezhda, Lyubov and Sophia, and honor your holy sufferings, which you naturally endured for Christ.
Prayer to the martyrs Vera, Nadezhda, Lyubov and their mother Sophia
Oh, holy and praiseworthy martyrs Vera, Nadezhda and Lyuba, and valiant daughters, wise mother Sophia, I now come to you with fervent prayer; What else will be able to intercede for us before the Lord, if not faith, hope and love, these three cornerstone virtues, in which the image is called, you are the most prophetic! Pray to the Lord, that in sorrows and misfortunes He may cover us with His indescribable grace, save us and preserve us, as the Lover of Mankind is good. That glory, like the never-setting sun, is now radiantly visible; assist us in our humble prayers, that the Lord God may forgive our sins and iniquities, and may He have mercy on us, sinners and unworthy of His generosity. Pray for us, holy martyrs, our Lord Jesus Christ, to Him we send forth glory with His Beginning Father and His Most Holy and Good and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our store presents the icon of Martyr Hope.
During the reign of Emperor Hadrian, Saint Sophia lived in Rome. She was a widow. Her lifestyle was imbued with faith in the Lord. She had three daughters: Vera, Nadezhda and Lyubov. Soon after her third daughter was born, Sofia lost her husband. Left without a husband, she continued her pious life. She constantly prayed and fasted. She raised her daughters the same way. The children were raised in such a way that all their lives they tried to bring into the world those Christian virtues the names they bore. As the children grew older, their virtue increased. The three sisters knew the apostolic books and prophecies well. They carefully listened to all the teachings of their mentors, read a lot, and were diligent in their prayers and household chores. The girls obeyed their mother in everything. So they rose step by step from strength to strength.
Neither Saint Sophia nor her daughters hid their faith in Christ. They openly preached the holy doctrine in front of everyone. Soon, the governor Antichos reported this to Emperor Hadrian (117 - 138). The emperor ordered Sophia and her daughters to be summoned to him. The sisters and mother knew why they were being called to the emperor. They fervently prayed to the Lord and asked for strength so as not to be afraid of torment and death. The moment the Holy Virgins appeared before the Emperor, everyone was amazed at their calmness. Many felt as if they were invited to a celebration, and not to torment. Emperor Hadrian called his sisters to him one by one. He convinced each of them to sacrifice to the goddess Artemis. At that moment, the eldest of the sisters, Vera, was 12 years old, Nadezhda – 10 and Lyubov – 9 years old. But the girls did not agree. This enraged the emperor, and he ordered them to be brutally tortured. The holy sisters were burned on a hot grate and thrown into a cauldron with boiling resin. But the Holy Power of the Lord protected them. The youngest of the sisters, Lyubov, was tied to a wheel and beaten with sticks until her childish body turned into a continuous wound. Despite the cruel torture, the girls glorified the Lord and were unshakable in their faith. For Hagia Sophia, the emperor came up with an even more cruel torture. He forced her to watch her daughters suffer. Saint Sophia was adamant, and all the time she begged her daughters to endure inhuman torment, in the Name of the Heavenly Bridegroom. The sisters joyfully met their martyrdom. Faith, Hope and Love were beheaded.
To make Sofia's mental suffering even more painful, Adrian allowed his mother to take away the bodies of her daughters. Sofia put the bodies of her daughters on a chariot and took them out of the city. There, on a high mountain, she buried them. After sitting for three days near the grave of her daughters, Saint Sophia died. Her body was buried by believers in the same place. In 777, the relics of the holy martyrs were buried in the church of Escho, which is located in Alsace. Martyr Nadezhda (Holy Hope) is one of the revered icons in Christianity.
And
WHAT DO THEY PRAY FOR BEFORE THE IMAGE OF FAITH, HOPE, LOVE AND THEIR MOTHER SOPHIA
Prayers to Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia help in building a family, in family happiness. The holy family often prays for the birth of a child, as well as for the health of children. In addition, Faith, Hope, Love
and their mother Sofia often relieve women’s diseases and joint pain.
The icon of Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sofia will help protect your family from temptations, guide you on the right path, and will help you return peace and joy to your home.
It must be remembered that icons or saints do not “specialize” in any specific areas. It will be right when a person turns with faith in the power of God, and not in the power of this icon, this saint or prayer. And .
mts. Nadezhda Rimskaya
Prayer to the martyrs Vera, Nadezhda, Lyubov and their mother Sophia O holy and praiseworthy martyrs Vera, Nadezhda and Lyubov, and valiant daughters, wise mother Sophia, I now come to you with fervent prayer; What else will be able to intercede for us before the Lord, if not faith, hope and love, these three cornerstone virtues, in which the image is called, you are the most prophetic! Pray to the Lord, that in sorrows and misfortunes He may cover us with His indescribable grace, save us and preserve us, as the Lover of Mankind is good. That glory, like the never-setting sun, is now radiantly visible, assist us in our humble prayers, may the Lord God forgive our sins and iniquities, and may He have mercy on us sinners and unworthy of His bounty. Pray for us, holy martyrs, our Lord Jesus Christ, to Him we send forth glory with His Beginning Father and His Most Holy and Good and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
CANON OF MARTYRS OF FAITH, HOPE, LOVE AND THEIR MOTHER SOPHIA
voice 1 Song 1
Irmos: Your victorious right hand is gloriously glorified in the fortress. That Bo, Immortal, like the omnipotent, erased the opposite, the Israelis made a new path of depth. Grant me, O Lord, the radiance of Thy most wonderful and unspeakable wisdom, of Thy beautiful and blessed martyr, so that I may sing of Sophia’s vegetation. Thy admonition is manifested by living, O God-wise One, be adorned: Thou hast spent all of Thy life with the desire of wisdom, O glorious Sophia, illuminated by wisdom with grace. We adorn your all-blessed fruit, the Divine Trinity, with the number of us, who labored sufferingly for Her, all-wise Sophia, the namesake of the Divine Wisdom. Having purified body and soul with virtues, O virgin youths, three were brought to You, as a martyr, to the intelligent Bridegroom Christ, Faith with Hope, and Glorious Love. Theotokos: I have received my whole image, which I first saw in the image of God, renew everything, dwelling divinely in Your womb, Most Pure One. Moreover, we all glorify the Mother of God of Your faithfulness. Song 3
Irmos: The only one who knows the infirmity of the human being, and mercifully does not imagine, girds me with strength from on high, crying out to You, Holy One, animated by the temple of Your ineffable glory, Lover of Mankind. Listening to the voice of Christ, calling to a immortal and passionless life, I followed the crowned virgins and martyrs, who cried out to You, Holy One, in the animated temple of Your Most Pure Glory, Lover of Mankind. The strength of the gift of Christ, standing before the judgment as a martyr to you, as promised, and fulfill God-inspired wisdom, and the bright display of the victorious martyr, virginity shining with grace. Dull the mind of the enemy, the great-praised maiden, and debase that pride, having labored in great wisdom, and before boasting, destroy the sea, flooding with the flow of blood. Richly filled with the wisdom of Christ above, chosen wisdom and prudent, the three daughters have put to shame those tormented by fierceness and incontinent fury, floridating Divine teachings. Mother of God: You gave birth to the saints of the Holy Christ, the holy village of shrines, resting in the saints. To Him we cry: Holy is the Temple animated by Thy ineffable glory, O Lover of Mankind. Kontakion, tone 1
Honest Sophia's most sacred branches, Faith, and Hope, and Love, having appeared, the wisdom of the Hellenic grace, and the sufferer, and the victorious one appeared, tied to the incorruptible crown of all the Lord Christ. Sedalen, voice 1
The verbal lambs of the Lamb and the Shepherd were quickly given over to fire and fierce torment, and appeared as an angel of equal honor. Thus, we celebrate all your sacred memory with gladness of heart, Virgin of the God-Wise. Song 4
Irmos: Mount Thee, overshadowed by the Grace of God, the perspicacious Habakkuk saw before the eyes, and from Thee came forth to the Holy One of Israel, for our salvation and renewal. Strengthened by Divine grace, well-conquered, Faith, Love and Hope, courageously putting to shame the tormentors of repression, the all-wise are burnt by fire, and are brought to the Bridegroom Christ. Armed with the full armor of the Cross, Faith, Love and Hope were able to graciously endure the torment of the wounds of the saints, resisting sin even to the point of bleeding. The three-numbered candles of shining wisdom, Faith, Love and Hope, the Trinity enlightened in reality, shining brightly, enlighten the Church, for our salvation and protection. Theotokos: Holy Mother of God, All-sung, waiting for tongues and the salvation of the faithful, from You arose the Deliverer, and the Giver of Life, and the Lord, who sings to You for the salvation of us. Song 5
Irmos: Enlightened by the radiance of Your coming Christ, and illuminated by Your Cross the ends of the world, enlighten the hearts with the light of Your God-Mind, those who sing Thee Orthodoxy. Through patience and wisdom I lifted the torment, and the wisdom that exists in God speaks the mysteries: the one who holds to shame the three God-bearing virgins, bound by faith and nature. Pramati rejoices, seeing that she is defeated by the flattering one, who of old expelled this one from Eden, by the God-wise women, Hope, Faith and Love, born of Sophia. I escaped the poisonous tormenting caress, and freely endured the torment of the ulcer, the honest young women were wounded by your love, Christ, and by your divine care. Theotokos: The heavenly powers rejoice when they see Thee, and the people of the state rejoice with them: With Christmas we are united with Thy, Virgin Mother of God, Whom we worthily glorify. Song 6
Irmos: The last abyss has passed us by, you will not deliver, we are counted as sheep of the slaughter, save your people, our God: for you are the strength of the weak and the correction. Rejoicing, I have placed my hopes in Your Lord’s most pure hands, three young women, the Trinity, honored and praised in number and number. Glowing virginity with kindnesses, adorned with martyrdom, and receiving a crown worthy of above, from Christ, the Giver of Life and the All-Bountiful. Having been brought, O Lord, to Thy temple of all the reigning virgin treasures of honor, to partake of Thy kingdom: for Thou art both the Light and the joy. Theotokos: The forefathers of our race rejoice in You, O Most Pure Virgin, We are going to receive You, whose crime we destroyed. You are pure both before Christmas and after Christmas. Song 7
Irmos: Let us consider the faithfulness of Your wise Mother of God, just as the three youths of the Savior, exalted, renew the world, in Your womb is wholly whole, the God of praise of the fathers and glorified. By the tri-radiant unity of grace, illuminated by the reality of the virgins, having destroyed the demonic darkness, the Trinitarian light theologically and sings: God, praised by the fathers, is glorified. In heaven there are palaces of luminous souls, with the angels you now joyfully rejoice, seeing the everlasting glory, and saying: God of the fathers is praised and glorified. Patiently, like the youths, they showed resistance, they courageously asked for fire: for those are equal in number to the mind of the God-bearing acquisitor, praised by the fathers ever before God and glorified. Theotokos: Yeshi, Pure One, forgiveness of sins to those who praise You faithfully, delivering from misfortunes and every situation: For You are now the refuge of money-grubbers, O Blessed One of God, as if You carried the Praiseworthy God of the Fathers with your hands. Song 8
Irmos: In the cave, the children of Israel, as if in a furnace, sparkled with the kindness of piety purer than gold, saying: Bless all the works of the Lord the Lord, sing and exalt to all ages. The God-bright Virgins, Faith, Hope, Love, shine with the kindness of piety purer than gold, saying: bless all the works of the Lord, sing and exalt to all ages. Shining and light-like torment of the former virgins, let us sing to the faithful saying: Bless all the works of the Lord, sing and exalt to all ages. The crayfish of the passion-bearers constantly flow forth a stream of healing, abundantly, sufficiently and richly, calling with faith: bless all the works of the Lord, sing and exalt to all ages. Theotokos: You were the Pure Holy Land, the life-bearing Class who gave birth to the ever-present life of the Intercessor of Christ, to whom we all call: bless all the works of the Lord, sing to the Lord and exalt to all ages. Song 9
Irmos: The image of Thy Pure Nativity is a burning bush of display, unscorched, and now we pray to extinguish the furious misfortunes upon us, so that we may continually magnify Thee to the Mother of God. We are filled with the Tri-radiant Light and the radiance of the Divine, now saturated, with the virtues of the same name and the same, Love, Hope, and Faith, confirm us with hope and love and faith. May the highest fortress now tame the storm of heresy, O passion-bearers of invincibility, and give the faithful unity of mind, we ask, we pray unceasingly, good deeds. The night of an all-wise life has passed, the day of the eternal life has come, rejoicing as a martyr, and virginally boasting of grace, and being made worthy of the incorruptible Divine Kingdom. Theotokos: O how Virgin gave birth to the ever-bearing Word and Hypostasis, the radiance of the Father's Hypostasis, our Benefactor and Lord, from Her incarnation, Whom we worthily magnify.
Akathist to the Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and Their Mother SOPHIA
Kontakion 1
To the chosen servants of the Lord Almighty, Faith, Hope and Love, and the wiser Mother Sophia, we tenderly offer you songs of praise. You, as you have boldness towards Christ God, pray for us, that we may be delivered from sins and sorrows, and let us cry out to you in gratitude: Rejoice, Faith, Hope and Love, together with Sophia, your wise mother. Ikos 1
The angels in Heaven rejoice, your virtuous life is visible, accompanied by reading the Divine Scriptures, in work, fasting, prayer and alms, constantly teaching your material, so that living images of the three theological virtues, by whose names they are quickly named, may appear. We, marveling at your mother’s wisdom and your perfect prudence, reverently say to you: Rejoice, like-minded sisters, named after three virtues; Rejoice, having entered into the degree of perfection in obedience to your God-wise mother. Rejoice, like three branches of paradise, growing in evil Rome; Rejoice, Sophia, who named your daughters the names of virtues, which you taught them to perform. Rejoice, Faith, by faith we see the invisible as if it were visible, helping us to see; Rejoice, thou clothed in incorruption. Rejoice, Hope, who weakens our suffering in the vale of sorrow with hope and points us with our right hand to the things above; Rejoice, you who have inherited the Kingdom of Heaven. Rejoice, Lyuba, who reveals to us the bliss of immortal life through Divine love; Rejoice, illuminated by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Rejoice, Sophia, thou art of wisdom, who hath raised thy daughter to wisdom; Rejoice, you who affirm us in the virtues of faith, hope and love. Rejoice, Vero, Nadezhda and Lyuba, together with Sophia, your wise mother. Kontakion 2
Seeing the wise Sophia of the servant, who came to invite her with her daughters to King Hadrian, and realizing the guilt of her calling, a hundred of her children came to prayer, asking for God’s help: and through prayer, eating by the hand, like a braided crown, I walked together, singing to Christ God: Alleluia. Ikos 2
The saints naturally had an undoubted mind, when they were quickly brought into the royal chambers, Tsar Adrian appeared with a bright face, cheerful hair and a courageous heart. Tsar, it is in vain that your honest face is undaunted and that you have seen the wisdom of Sophia, postpone your judgment for another time and send you to a certain nobler wife, who has been with you for three days, your wise mother who teaches you with inspired words day and night. In the same way, pleasing you, we cry to you: Rejoice, three blameless lambs of Christ, who have gathered together the crown of virtues; Rejoice, three virtuous sisters, who have shown firm faith, undoubted hope and unfeigned love for the Lord God. Rejoice, having not spared your beauty and youth, for the sake of the Red One, who is kinder than the sons of men; Rejoice, Sophia, who taught your beloved children the feat of martyrdom for Christ. Rejoice, Vero, who confessed your faith through torment for Christ; Rejoice, you who raised up your sisters with strong faith. Rejoice, Hope, who placed firm hope in Christ; Rejoice, you who strengthened your sisters with unflagging hope. Rejoice, Lyuba, who through torment for Christ showed your effective love; Rejoice, you who protected your sisters with the fire of love. Rejoice, Sophia, your sweet child who admonished you to despise glory and wealth and all the sweetness of this corruptible world; Rejoice, thy good daughter who diligently taught to give blood for the Lord and die for Him. Rejoice, Vero, Nadezhda and Lyuba, together with Sophia, your wise mother. Kontakion 3
By the power of the Divine overshadowing the martyr, who showed the virtues of her names in deeds in the labors of the martyr, chanting to God: Alleluia. Ikos 3
The holy martyrs have within themselves a pillar of faith, a wing of hope and a fire of love, listening in sweetness to the words of their mother, one of whom I affirm with patience and walk joyfully, desiring honorable martyrdom for Christ. We worship him as our God, and we honor you with our invocations: Rejoice, you who have not grieved in the least for the deprivation of this temporary life, eternal for the sake of life; Rejoice, for the honor of Christ’s sake you gave your flesh to torment. Rejoice, you who brought three valuable vessels of faith, hope and love to God as a gift; Rejoice, Sophia, for out of great love for your daughters, you desired with all your heart that they might inherit the Kingdom of God. Rejoice, Vero, who illuminates our souls with faith; Rejoice, you who lift us up to a quiet haven. Rejoice, Hope, who quickens our hearts with the sweetness of hope; Rejoice, you who bring us out of the abyss of despair. Rejoice, Lyuba, who transforms our suffering and sorrow into joy; Rejoice, transforming our petrified hearts into tenderness. Rejoice, Sophia, who instructs us with wisdom for good; Rejoice, enlightening the darkened eye of our souls. Rejoice, Vero, Nadezhda and Lyuba, together with Sophia, your wise mother. Kontakion 4
A storm of tormenting rage attacked you, holy Faith, but did not shake you: whoever is able to move the invincible faith, the strongest adamant, who taught the faithful to sing with you to God: Alleluia. Ikos 4
Hearing the wise mother of her daughter before the king, fearlessly confessing Christ and saying that this is the only thing they desire, to suffer and endure the bitter sweet torment for the sake of Jesus Christ, rejoicing at the great and praying to God, may he strengthen me in the torment that lies ahead. This will be praised; let us sing to the first daughter of the wise mother: Rejoice, Vero, unmerciful one who received the sweetest beat of the Sweetest One for the sake of Jesus; Rejoice, your cut-off breast, like two crowns of purity, sacrificed to the Lord. Rejoice, for from your ulcer you flowed milk instead of blood; Rejoice, for you were laid on a red-hot iron. Rejoice, for you have been cast into a boiling cauldron; you were not scorched in the least, nor were you harmed; Rejoice, you who calm the heat of our passions with heavenly coolness. Rejoice, you who extinguish the fire of our torment in illness; Rejoice, you who mark us with a sign of faith in the midst of adversity. Rejoice, covering us with the shield of faith in battle with the enemy; Rejoice, thou who joyfully bowed thy honorable head for the Head of the Church, Christ God. Rejoice, for with the stain of your blood, like a scarlet robe, you appeared before the eyes of your Immortal Bridegroom; Rejoice, you who have come to the desired land and beheld the beloved Savior of the Lord. Rejoice, Vero, Nadezhda and Lyuba, together with Sophia, your wise mother. Kontakion 5
The God-given stars became like nature, Faith, Hope and Love, clinging with all their hearts to the one eternal Life and indescribable Beauty, Jesus Christ, who will soon march, to die for Him and enjoy His Divine vision, singing to Him: Alleluia. Ikos 5
Having seen the good-victorious sister, Holy Faith, who joyfully suffered for Christ, they themselves wanted to lay down their souls for Him: the Tsar began to test Holy Hope, and seeing that she and her sister were of the same mind, they were given to torment, but had no success. We, the Holy Nadezhda, about her wisdom, will please us and glorify her: Rejoice, Nadezhda, who was cruelly beaten, but who has not lost her bright hope in the Lord; Rejoice, you who endured your torment without complaint in silence. Rejoice, you who also give us strong patience; Rejoice, for once you were in a fiery furnace without being burned, you sent praise to God. Rejoice, for you teach us to praise God in our suffering; Rejoice, for you were sharpened with iron nails. Rejoice, you who shine upon us who are in sorrow with rays of hope; Rejoice, for a wonderful fragrance came from your wounds. Rejoice, thou who has invariably preserved unshakable trust in the Lord Jesus; Rejoice, destroying hopelessness and powerlessness in our hearts. Rejoice, you who joyfully accepted the sword beating for Christ; Rejoice, clear star, to us, oppressed by earthly sorrows, revealing eternal peace. Rejoice, Vero, Nadezhda and Lyuba, together with Sophia, your wise mother. Kontakion 6
The God-Wise Sisters are like the quick Preacher and Apostle of the God-bearing Ones: with your virtues you preach to all the faithful faith, hope and love for the Lord, the Master of all, to Him singing: Alleluia. Ikos 6
You have shone, like the sun, Saint Lyuba, who stood for her beloved Lord in such a powerful way as Lyuba, even as it is written: strong as the death of love, water cannot quench much love, and rivers will not drown it. We pray to you now, Holy Love, burning with the seraphic flame of love for the Lord, renew our petrified and withered hearts, kindle in us, who are impoverished in love, the light of love, so that we may love the Lord and all our neighbors, as our prayer book, we will praise you: Rejoice, Lyuby, as your love for Christ leads many worldly delights without extinguishing; Rejoice, for having rejected all the caresses and gifts of the king, you laid down your soul for the Lord. Rejoice, for your love did not drown the river of troubles and suffering; Rejoice, for the Lord Jesus you were stretched out on wheels, beaten with a rod, pierced with drills and thrown into a fiery furnace. Rejoice, for in your fierce torment you were strengthened by the power of God; Rejoice, through your blood, love for the sake of your Immortal Bridegroom, Christ, poured out, inspiring love in our cold hearts. Rejoice, having clearly shown us that all sweet torments are endured for the sake of love; Rejoice, you who showed us how Divine love leads to eternal life. Rejoice, you who assured us with prophetic things that any Divine revelation is immortality; Rejoice, for no torment could separate Love from the love of Christ. Rejoice, who in your torment apostolically prophesied, for neither sorrow, nor distress, nor persecution, nor famine, nor nakedness, nor misfortune, nor sword will separate you from the love of God; Rejoice, you who were truncated at the head by the sword of love for the sake of Christ. Rejoice, Vero, Nadezhda and Lyuba, together with Sophia, your wise mother. Kontakion 7
Wanting to be separated from the body as soon as possible and to be with Christ, holy virgins, when I was about to be beheaded with a sword, I kissed each other and my mother Sophia with an embrace, teaching us friendly love, and let us all sing to God: Alleluia. Ikos 7
The Lord showed a new miracle when He always helped His ambassador to those who suffered for the confession of His name, only to young virgins: by faith, hope and love we strengthened and exalted our former, valiant deeds. We, in unanimity and unanimity until the end of our lives, pray to you, and grant us unanimity in doing good deeds, tenderly magnifying you: Rejoice, Faith, Hope and Love, united through torment to the gates of heaven; Rejoice, you who entered into the bright palace of your most beloved Bridegroom with a voice of joy. Rejoice, for Jesus Christ enlightened, like the stars in heaven, the wounds on your bodies; Rejoice, Sophia, who looked valiantly at the torment of your children. Rejoice, for with heavenly beauty, which the eye cannot see, the Lord has adorned your kindness, taken away by torment; Rejoice, you who have received the crowns of reward. Rejoice, like three stars, illuminated by the Sun of truth; Rejoice, Sophia, who has found great consolation in your daughters’ courageous confession of the name of Christ. Rejoice, you who dispel the darkness of our doubts; Rejoice, you who strengthen us, depressed by mental and physical suffering. Rejoice, you who adorn our hearts with the beauty of love; Rejoice, Sophia, fortress and consolation of those who are exhausted in troubles and needs. Rejoice, Faith, Reliability and Love, together with Sophia, your wise matter. Kontakion 8
Strange and incomprehensible to us weak, mired in worldly sweets, we see the matter, like the Holy Sophia of her beloved children, seeing fierce and bitter torment and death, not the least in sorrow, but rejoicing greatly in spirit, singing to God: Alleluia. Ikos 8
All in the highest is wise Sophia, who always strives with her daughters with sweet words and wise admonitions to endure torment. If by nature one bows down to tears, one gives oneself over to joy from the love of Christ, for the sorrow of the heart and the mother’s sickness for one’s children, conquer the love of God in it. It is great that you love your daughter, and most of all, you desire the Kingdom of Heaven. For this reason, marveling at the wisdom and great love of your daughters and glorifying you, we cry: Rejoice, Sophia, for your soul rejoiced at the blessed death of your daughters, who boldly confessed the holy name of the Lord; Rejoice, in the martyrdom of your children you received honor and glory. Rejoice, having been honored with the participation of the martyr and with his daughters in the heavenly glory of Christ God; Rejoice, you who buried the honorable bodies of your daughters with joyful tears. Rejoice, who sat down at their tomb for three days and rested in the sleep of death in the Lord; Rejoice, even if not in the flesh, but at least in your heart for Christ. Rejoice, for you brought three virtuous daughters, who showed faith, hope, and love for God, as a gift to the Most Holy Trinity; Rejoice, for for the sake of childbearing you were saved. Rejoice, wondrous mother, worthy of good memory; Rejoice, thy daughters, that they may shed their blood for Christ, who prayed. Rejoice, O thou who maketh us wise, that we may immutably guard the virtues of faith, hope and love; Rejoice, praying to the Life-Giving Trinity for us. Rejoice, Vero, Nadezhda and Lyuba, together with Sophia, your wise mother. Kontakion 9
All the Angels marveled at your suffering, holy martyrs, and your victory over the devil triumphantly, leading your souls to Heaven, singing to Christ God: Alleluia. Ikos 9
With such eloquence, all your sufferings for Christ cannot be expressed, but marveling at the great feat achieved in your youth, they remain silent. In honor of your death, we glorify God and magnify you: Rejoice, O Faith, Hope and Love, who sing praises to God, who ascended to heaven; Rejoice, shield of faith, armor of hope and lamp of love. Rejoice, enjoying the vision of the bright face of God; Rejoice, Sophia, pious mother who instructs their children in the wise education of their children. Rejoice, us who teach, that we may seek the Lord, and our soul may live; Rejoice, warm prayer books coming to you with faith, hope and love. Rejoice, you who admonish us, for all the sweetness and charm of this world disappears like smoke, like dust is scattered by the wind and turns into dust; Rejoice, Sophia, who loved the Lord God with all my heart. Rejoice, like three bright keys, flowing to the one Source of life; Rejoice, as three incense blooms on the one most fruitful branch that has vegetated. Rejoice, like three mirrors, reflecting the boundless beauty of God in yourself; Rejoice, Sophia, like an olive tree, three branches, laden with abundant fruits of the gifts of God, growing. Rejoice, Vero, Nadezhda and Lyuba, together with Sophia, your wise mother. Kontakion 10
Wanting to save her souls, the holy martyrs despised the love of Christ for the caresses of the Tsar and the riches of this corruptible world and joyfully accepted her death as a martyr for Christ, singing to Him: Alleluia. Ikos 10
The holy martyrs are the walls of faith, hope and love for all who come running to them with warm and fervent prayer and in sorrow and adversity they cry out to them: Rejoice, good healer of sinful wounds; Rejoice, in the darkness of our sorrow, illuminating us with the light of hope. Rejoice, you who send us wondrous peace in the midst of adversity and sorrow; Rejoice, Sophia, who has shown wise care for us, those defeated in our suffering. Rejoice, Vero, raising the cross of salvation before us; Rejoice, you who heal our infirmities through your prayers. Rejoice, Hope, who gives us the anchor of deliverance; Rejoice, thou who graciously takes away the despondency of our hearts. Rejoice, Lyuba, by your intercession to the Lord in evil misfortunes we are protected from unexpected death; Rejoice, you who restore our weary strength to vigor. Rejoice, Sophia, diligent prayer book for us to God; Rejoice, wise mentor in our good deeds. Rejoice, Vero, Nadezhda and Lyuba, together with Sophia, your wise mother. Kontakion 11
This praiseworthy singing, even if it were offered to you, holy martyrs, would not have been sufficient to glorify your virtues and deeds: instead, sending up praise to God for everything that He shows us in His saints, to Him we sing: Alleluia. Ikos 11
Faith, Hope and Love, together with their material Sophia, are like the heavenly light before the Lord as burning lights, to which we fall, praying, that they may enlighten us, darkened by sorrows and calling from the depths of our hearts: Rejoice, your garments are in the blood of the Lamb who has made the earth white; Rejoice, eternal life intercessor for us. Rejoice, souls seeking peace in God's mercy, confirmation and preservation; Rejoice, Sophia, who protects us from the vanity of the world. Rejoice, Vero, worthy censer, offering incense praise to God; Rejoice, you who enlighten us sinners with faith. Rejoice, Hope, our consolation and refuge in sorrow; Rejoice, radiant messenger of deliverance in our sorrows. Rejoice, Lyuba, who pours kindness and meekness into our hearts; Rejoice, mysterious star, lifting us up from the cramped earthly mountains. Rejoice, Sophia, wise and honorable teacher; Rejoice, O God-wisdom of life for those who pray to you, the organizer. Rejoice, Vero, Nadezhda and Lyuba, together with Sophia, your wise mother. Kontakion 12
Having been granted the grace of God to receive, pray for us, holy martyrs, the Most Pure Lord Christ, that He may be merciful to us sinners, with faith, hope and love to Him alone, our Lord and Savior, humbly singing: Alleluia. Ikos 12
We sing of your mighty deeds, with faith, hope and heartfelt love, we honor your sufferings, we praise your wondrous patience, we bless your death, which you joyfully raised for Christ, we magnify your invincible courage, holy martyrs Vera, Nadezhda and Lyuba, and the wise mother Sophia, and glorifying you, we cry out to you: Rejoice, like three streams of lightning, shining from the east even to the west with your virtues; Rejoice, vials of faith, hope and love, filling our souls with life-giving drink. Rejoice, three paths of light, leading us to the throne of the glory of the Lord; Rejoice, Sophia, praised for your children by the saints. Rejoice, Vero, the flower of faith, whiter than snow; Rejoice, delight of the afflicted. Rejoice, Hope, exaltation of oppressed hearts; Rejoice, like a healing stream, quenching the thirst of grieving souls. Rejoice, Lyuba, crowned with peace, joy and goodness; Rejoice, clever dawn of eternity. Rejoice, Sophia, rod of strength, meek and wise chastiser of children; Rejoice, most luminous ray of knowledge of God, shining upon our souls. Rejoice, Vero, Nadezhda and Lyuba, together with Sophia, your wise mother. Kontakion 13
O holy and praiseworthy martyrs Vera, Nadezhda and Lyuba, and wise mother Sophia, now accepting this little prayer of ours, deliver us from all troubles, illnesses and sorrows with your prayers, so that in the Kingdom of Heaven we will be honored to see the immortal Lord Jesus, together with you we will sing to Him : Alleluia. This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos “Angels in Heaven...” and the 1st kontakion “To the chosen servants...”.
