St. Irene the Great Martyr
Born Penelope, the daughter of the pagan ruler Licinius in the city of Magedon, she was raised in a tower, instructed in the faith by her tutor Apellian, and baptized with the name Irene, meaning peace.
She openly confessed Christ and endured savage tortures under successive pagan rulers, including being cast beneath horses, thrown into a pit of serpents, and shut inside a heated bronze ox, yet was preserved unharmed, and her miracles drew many thousands to baptism. According to her ancient Life she reposed at Ephesus, where she entered a tomb that was later found empty; some traditions place her in apostolic times and others in the fourth century.
Truly, I am as a beast before Thee, O Lord!
Troparion · Tone 1
Christ called you Irene, because you grant peace to those hastening to your holy temple with hymns and spiritual songs, for you intercede for all, standing before the Three-Sunned Divinity. Let everyone celebrate her memory joyously, magnifying Christ, Who glorified her.
Kontakion · Tone 3
Adorned with the beauty of virginity, you became most beautiful in your brave contest, O Irene; you were reddened by the blood which you shed, and you overthrew ungodly error; therefore, you received the prize of victory from the hand of your Creator.
Saints around May 5
Get the full library
130+ saints, in your pocket
Their Lives, sayings and prayers, A to Z and by feast, with search. The Church calendar, the holy icons, and the saying of the day on your Home Screen. All in Axios! for iPhone, iPad and Android.