On April 3, 304, in Thessalonica, Macedonia, the world witnessed the martyrdom of Saints Agape, Chionia, and Irene, three sisters who paid the ultimate price for their unwavering faith. A document from that era narrates their story, preserving their legacy.
The backdrop to their martyrdom was a decree by Emperor Diocletian in 303, criminalizing the possession of Christian scriptures. This decree placed the sisters in dire straits. Agape, Chionia, and Irene, daughters of pagan parents in Salonika, had hidden several sacred texts. Their devotion to these texts was profound; they lamented the lost opportunity to engage with them freely.
Their arrest wasn’t for the hidden scriptures but for their refusal to consume food sacrificed to pagan gods. Brought before Governor Dulcetius, they were interrogated. Agape spoke, embodying their steadfast faith: “I believe in the living God, and will not by an evil action lose all the merit of my past life.”
Agape and Chionia faced the death sentence, condemned to be burned alive. Irene, due to her youth, initially received a sentence of imprisonment. The execution of her sisters led to a search of their residence, uncovering the concealed scriptures.
Irene’s fate took a dark turn. Sent to a brothel for soldiers, she was subjected to indignities but remained untouched, a testament to her protected state. Her refusal to renounce her faith led to her execution, believed to be either by self-immolation or more likely, an arrow to the throat. The scriptures she and her sisters cherished were destroyed in a public spectacle.
Their feast is April 3rd.
Photo credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
Dear Saint Irene,
My patron saint. I humbly grateful for all your protection up to present. Kindly pray and help me everyday. Guide me closer to the dearest God and protect me against devil’s temptation.
To Irene, Amen…
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Saints Agape, Chionia and Irene, give us to gather courage to stand for the name of our dear Lord.
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Saints Agape, Chionia, and Irene, pray for us!
Saints Agape, Chionia, and Irene, pray for us.
Thank you sisters for your love for God and may you names and life live foe ever in our hearts
The Three sisters,,,,,amazing that they were so tuned to EACH other!!!!!!!!
The Three reminds me of the , Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit !!!!!!!!
How BRAVE they were to HOLD on to CHRIST our LORD,,,,in times when they knew they would be HARMED !!!!!!!!
ISAIAH. 49:8
Thus says the Lord,,,,,in a time of FAVOR,I have ANSWERED you,in a day of SALVATION ,I have HELPED you;
I have kept you and given you as a COVENANT to the PEOPLE, to ESTABLISH the land , to apportion the desolate
HERITAGES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Behold dear JESUS CHRIST,,,,,,,,save you TRUE ,,,,FOLLOWERS !!!!!!!!!!
Saints Agape, Chionia, and Irene pray for all missionaries.
Dear Agape, Chionia and Irene,
You held true to your beliefs in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and may God bless all three of you. Please pray for our world population to be saved from this coronavirus. Thank you.
Saints Agape, Chionia and Irene, pray for us amen.