On September 17/30, Orthodox Christians celebrate an important religious holiday in memory of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Charity and their mother Sophia, who died defending the Christian Faith.
According to tradition Sophia had three daughters: Faith (Vera), Hope (Nadezhda) and Charity (Lubov). Relocating from Milan to Rome, Sophia raised the girls according to Christian teachings. This angered the Roman Emperor Hadrian, who demanded that they only worship the goddess Artemis.
When all four of them disobeyed the Emperor, continuing to honor Jesus Christ, Hadrian ordered that Sophia’s daughters be subjected to excruciating torture; however, Faith, Hope and Charity remained unharmed and prayed constantly.
Then the Emperor Hadrian ordered that the young girls (who were only 12, 10 and 9 years of age) be killed. After they were beheaded and then hacked to pieces, Hadrian gave the girls’ remains to the unfortunate mother, who died after 3 days due to the trauma of such great sorrow.
In commemoration of these great and holy martyrs, all Orthodox who have been named in their honor annually celebrate their Namesday on this day.
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