Saint Sophia
Saint Sophia
September 17
Spiritual Significance
Saint Sophia and her three daughters, Faith, Hope and Love, are honoured by the Church as holy martyrs. They lived in Italy during the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the second century and remained devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
Sophia was a faithful Christian mother who raised her daughters to love God and live according to His commandments. She named them after three of the greatest Christian virtues: Faith, Hope and Love, teaching them from an early age to place their trust in Christ.
When their Christian faith became known, Sophia and her daughters were brought before Emperor Hadrian in Rome. The Emperor ordered the young girls to renounce Christ, but despite their young age, they courageously refused and remained steadfast in their faith.
Faith, Hope and Love were subjected to terrible suffering and were eventually put to death for refusing to deny Christ. Their mother Sophia remained beside them, encouraging them to stay faithful to God and reminding them of the promise of eternal life.
After her daughters were buried, Sophia remained at their grave for three days where she peacefully gave her soul to God. The Church honours her as a martyr because of the great suffering she endured in her heart and her unwavering faith in Christ.
Iconography
In icons, Saint Sophia is usually shown together with her three daughters, Faith, Hope and Love, reminding us of the remarkable faith and courage shared by this Christian mother and her children.
The four saints are often shown wearing richly coloured garments with halos around their heads. The halos signify their holiness and their eternal life with God in His heavenly Kingdom.
Faith, Hope and Love are frequently shown holding crosses in their hands. These crosses are symbols of their martyrdom and remind us that, even when faced with suffering and death, they refused to abandon their faith in Christ.
Saint Sophia is often shown standing beside or behind her daughters as their mother and spiritual guide. Her presence reminds us of the important responsibility parents have to teach their children about God and encourage them in the Christian faith.
Together, Saint Sophia and her daughters represent wisdom, faith, hope and love. Their icon reminds Christians that these virtues are not simply words, but qualities that we are called to practise throughout our lives.
Did You Know?
The name Sophia comes from the Greek word for “wisdom.” Her daughters’ names are also the three great Christian virtues: Faith (Pistis), Hope (Elpis) and Love (Agape).
Faith was twelve years old, Hope was ten and Love was only nine when they were martyred. Despite their young ages, the Church remembers their extraordinary courage and devotion to Christ.