Today, our Holy Church celebrates the memory of the Great Martyr Irene and New Martyr Ephraim.
Saint Irene, originally called Penelope, came from a well-to-do family in the city of Magedon in Persia and received a rich education. She was distinguished for both her appearance and her mental beauty.
From the moment she became acquainted with Christian teaching and entered the life of the Church, she received various temptations, persecutions, and sufferings to repent and return to idolatry. However, her strength, faith, and steadfastness made many people believe in the Risen Jesus Christ.
The first to believe in Christ because of her was her own father, who was subjected to horrific torture and was dragged to death by a horse. Then, Saint Irene resurrected him, by the grace of the Holy Spirit.
She remained in the consciousness of the Church as a great martyr, because with her life and her martyrdom, many confessed their faith and were baptized in the name of the Risen Jesus Christ.
All those who underestimate the potential of women to contribute to the offering and ministry of their fellow human beings are called upon to be convinced by the example of today’s honored Saint Irene the Great Martyr.
Source: Church of Cyprus