Sainte Agapè
Martyre à Thessalonique
en Macédoine (+ 304)
et ses deux sœurs, sainte
Irène et sainte Chionie, et plusieurs autres compagnons de martyre sous
l'empereur Dioclétien.
Découvertes comme
chrétiennes, Agapè et Chionie furent brûlées vives. Agathon, Cassia et Philippa
furent temporairement épargnés à cause de leur jeune âge, mais, devant leur
persistance à rester fidèles au Christ, ils furent à leur tour mis sur un
bûcher.
Irène fut arrêtée parce
qu'on avait découvert les livres des Saintes Ecritures chez elle. Refusant de
céder aux menaces, elle fut enfermée dans une maison de débauche pour y être
exposée devant les visiteurs qui respectèrent la pureté qui rayonnait d'elle.
Conduite alors devant le
bûcher, le juge lui donna l'ordre de s'y jeter elle-même. C'est en chantant
qu'elle entra dans les flammes.
À Thessalonique en
Macédoine, les saintes Agapè et Chionia, vierges et martyres. En 305, sous
l’empereur Dioclétien, parce qu’elles refusaient de manger des viandes
sacrifiées aux idoles, elles furent condamnées à être brûlées vives par le
gouverneur Ducétius.
Martyrologe romain
SOURCE : http://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/6547/Sainte-Agape.html
Sainte Irène
Martyre à Thessalonique,
avec ses soeurs Agapé et Chiona (+ 304)
Ce n'était qu'une jeune
fille quand éclata la persécution à Salonique. Comme beaucoup d'autres, elle
s'enfuit dans la montagne pour se cacher, mais elle se reprocha cette lâcheté
et revint à la maison. C'est là qu'elle fut arrêtée. Le juge lui offrit la vie
sauve si elle apostasiait. Elle refusa et fut brûlée vive.
À Thessalonique en
Macédoine, l’an 304, sainte Irène, vierge et martyre. Parce qu’elle avait caché
les livres saints, malgré l’édit de Dioclétien, et qu’elle refusait de
sacrifier aux dieux, le préfet Dulcétius, qui avait déjà fait mourir ses deux
soeurs, Agapè et Chionia, donna l’ordre de l’exposer nue au lupanar, puis la
fit jeter dans un brasier.
Martyrologe romain
SOURCE : http://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/2130/Sainte+Ir%25E8ne.html
Sainte Irène, vierge
et martyre
Quand avait éclaté la persécution dans sa ville de Salonique (Grèce), la jeune Irène avait fui dans les montagnes. Se reprochant sa lâcheté, elle rentre à la maison où elle finit par être arrêtée. Elle fut brûlée vive en 304 pour avoir refusé de dénoncer ses coreligionnaires et d'apostasier.
LES
ACTES DES SAINTES AGAPE, CHIONIE ET IRÈNE, A THESSALONIQUE, L'AN 304.
L'édit de persécution fut
renouvelé en l'an 304. D'après la nouvelle rédaction, il était commandé, dit
Eusèbe, « que tous, en tout pays, dans chaque ville, offrissent publiquement
des sacrifices et des libations aux idoles ». Pendant le mois de mars de cette
année, un chrétien et plusieurs chrétiennes furent traduits à Thessalonique
devant Dulcetius, gouverneur de Macédoine, sous l'inculpation de refus de
communier au sacrifice offert aux idoles. L'homme s'appelait Agathon, les trois
jeunes filles dont on va lire les Actes avaient caché, l'année précédente, de
nombreux manuscrits des Écritures et s'étaient enfuies dans les montagnes. De
retour dans leurs maisons, elles y furent arrêtées. En même temps qu'elles,
trois autres chrétiennes comparurent, Cassia, Philippa et Eutychia.
En ce qui concerne
l'arrestation des saintes, nous adoptons les données historiques qui se
dégagent de l'interrogatoire d'Irène, sans prêter attention à la contradiction
qu'y oppose le prologue des Actes, parce que ce prologue est d'une main
étrangère, tandis que les Actes authentiques ne commencent qu'avec
l'interrogatoire. C'est une pièce excellente dans laquelle Tillemont ne voit «
rien qui ne s'accorde parfaitement avec les monuments du temps et qui n'ait
l'air d'une pièce authentique et originale ».BOLL., 3/IV April. I, 245-250. —
Remuer, Acta sinc., p. 429 et suiv. — TILLEMONT, Mém., t. V. — P.
ALLARD, Hist. des perséc., t. IV, p.278 et suiv.
LES
ACTES DES SAINTES AGAPE, CHIONIE ET IRÈNE
Dulcétius entre en
séance. Artème, son greffier, dit :
« Si tu l'ordonnes, je
vais lire le rapport de l'officier de police au sujet des gens qui sont ici.
— Lis.
— Je lis sans rien
passer. Rapport de Cassandre, bénéficiaire : Maître et Seigneur : Agathon, Agape,
Chionie, Irène, Cassis, Philippa et Eutychia refusent de manger des victimes
immolées aux dieux. Aussi je les ai fait conduire devant ta Grandeur. »
Dulcétius dit aux accusés
: « Quelle sottise de refuser d'obéir aux ordres des Césars et des Empereurs !
» — Se tournant vers Agathon : « Pourquoi n'as-tu pas pris part aux sacrifices,
suivant l'usage de ceux qui ont été consacrés aux dieux ?
— Parce que je suis
chrétien.
— Persistes-tu
aujourd'hui dans ta résolution ?
— De plus en plus.
— Et toi, Agape, que
dis-tu ?
— Moi, je crois au Dieu
vivant et j'ai refusé de faire les choses dont tu parles.
— Et toi, Chionie ?
— Je crois au Dieu vivant
et j'ai refusé de faire ce que tu dis.
— Toi, Irène? Pourquoi
n'as-tu pas obéi au commandement des Empereurs et des Césars ?
— Parce que je crains
Dieu.
— Toi, Cassia ?
— Je veux sauver mon âme.
— Alors tu ne veux pas
prendre part aux sacrifices?
— Non.
— Toi, Philippa ?
— Comme les autres.
— Quoi encore?
— J'aime mieux mourir que
de manger de vos sacrifices.
— Toi, Eutychia ?
— La même chose. — J'aime
mieux mourir que de faire ce que tu commandes.
— Es-tu mariée?
— Mon mari est mort.
— Depuis combien de
temps?
— Sept mois environ.
— De qui es-tu enceinte?
— Du mari que Dieu m'a
donné.
— Laisse donc tout cela
et reviens à des sentiments plus humains. Qu'en dis-tu? Veux-tu obéir à l'édit?
— Non, je ne veux pas
obéir, je suis chrétienne, servante du Dieu tout-puissant.
— Puisque Eutychia est grosse,
elle sera gardée en prison.
— Et toi, Agape, veux-tu
faire les mêmes choses que nous qui sommes dévoués à nos maîtres les Empereurs
et à nos Césars ?
— Jamais. Je ne saurais
être dévouée à Satan. Tes paroles ne me feront pas changer ; ma résolution est
inébranlable.
— Et toi, Chionie, que
dis-tu de tout cela?
Personne ne pourra
pervertir mon âme.
— N'y a-t-il pas chez
vous quelques écrits des chrétiens, parchemins ou livres?
— Rien du tout, les
empereurs actuels nous ont tout enlevé.
— Qui vous a ainsi
conseillées?
— Dieu tout-puissant.
— Quels sont ceux qui les
premiers vous ont entraînées à cette folie ?
— Dieu tout-puissant et
son Fils Notre-Seigneur Jésus-Christ.
— « Il est clair que vous
devez tous obéir à nos Empereurs et Césars. Mais puisque, après tant de délais,
tant d'avertissements, tant d'édits et de menaces, vous êtes assez téméraires
pour mépriser les justes commandements des Empereurs et des Césars, en persistant
dans le nom impie de chrétiens; puisque jusqu'à ce jour, pressées par nos
agents et par les premiers de la milice de renoncer par écrit au Christ, vous
persistez dans votre refus, vous allez être justement châtiées. » Dulcétius lut
la sentence : « Agape et Chionie, qui par leur impiété et leur esprit de
rébellion ont résisté au divin édit de nos maîtres les Empereurs et les Césars,
et aujourd'hui encore pratiquent la religion des chrétiens, vaine, téméraire,
odieuse à tous les hommes, seront brûlées. — Cependant Agathon, Cassia,
Philippa et Irène seront gardées en prison jusqu'à nouvel ordre. »
Après le supplice d'Agape
et de Chionie, Dulcétius fit comparaître Irène: «Tafolie éclate dans toutes tes
actions. Quoi! jusqu'à ce jour tu as voulu garder chez toi les parchemins, les
livres, les tablettes, les volumes et les pages des Écritures appartenant aux
chrétiens! Lorsqu'on te les as présentés, tu les a reconnus, après avoir nié
chaque jour, malgré le supplice de tes soeurs et la peine qui t'attendait, que
de tels écrits fussent en ta possession. La mort de tes soeurs ne t'aura donc
pas suffi ? Tu ne crains donc pas la mort quand elle est devant tes yeux? Aussi
tu dois être punie. Cependant, notre indulgence te permet encore d'échapper au
supplice : en reconnaissant au moins les dieux, tu peux sortir d'ici non
seulement indemne, mais libre. Que dis-tu à cela ? Obéis-tu aux ordres des
Empereurs et des Césars ? Es-tu prête à offrir un sacrifice et à manger des
viandes immolées?
— Non, non, par le Dieu
tout-puissant qui a créé le
ciel, la terre, la mer et
tout ce qu'ils renferment ! Le suprême châtiment du feu éternel est
réservé à ceux qui auront nié le Christ. »
Dulcétius dit : « Mais
qui t'a poussée à conserver jusqu'à ce jour ces paperasses et ces Écritures?
— Le même Dieu
tout-puissant qui a ordonné de l'aimer jusqu'à la mort; c'est pourquoi nous
n'avons pas osé le trahir, et nous voulons plutôt être brûlées vives, ou
souffrir tout autre mal, que de livrer les Écritures.
— Qui donc, dans ta maison,
savait que tu les gardais?
— Le Dieu tout-puissant,
qui sait toutes choses, les a vues, mais nul autre. Nous regardions nos maris
comme plus à craindre que nos pires ennemis. Aussi n'avons-nous montré ces
livres à personne.
— L'année dernière, lors
de la publication du premier édit de nos maîtres les Empereurs et les Césars,
où vous êtes-vous cachées ?
— Où Dieu a voulu. Dieu
sait que nous avons vécu dans les montagnes, en plein air.
— Chez qui viviez-vous?
— En plein air, tantôt
sur une montagne, tantôt sur une autre.
— Qui vous donnait du
pain ?
— Dieu, qui donne à tous
la nourriture.
— Votre père était-il
complice?
— Non, par le Dieu
tout-puissant ! il ne pouvait être complice, il ignorait tout.
— Parmi vos voisins, qui
le savait?
— Demande-le-leur,
parcours le pays, demande qui sont ceux qui ont connu notre retraite.
— Après votre retour de
la montagne, comme tu dis, lisiez-vous ces Ecritures en présence de quelqu'un ?
— Elles étaient dans
notre maison et nous n'osions les en tirer. Nous étions tristes de ne pouvoir
les étudier nuit et jour, comme nous l'avons fait jusqu'au moment où, l'année
dernière, nous les avons cachées.
— Tes soeurs ont souffert
le châtiment que nous avons ordonné. Mais toi, avant de fuir avec elles, tu
avais encouru la peine de mort, pour avoir caché ces écrits et ces papiers;
cependant, je ne veux pas te faire périr comme elles tout de suite : j'ordonne
que par mes gardes et par Zozime, bourreau public, tu sois exposée nue dans une
maison de prostitution : un pain t'y sera donné tous les jours du palais, et
les gardes ne te permettront pas d'en sortir. — Vous, les
gardes, et toi, bourreau, sachez qu'il y va de votre tête. Que cependant on me
remette tous les livres cachés dans les coffres et les boîtes d'Irène. »
Irène fut conduite dans
une maison de prostitution, mais l'Esprit-Saint veillait et se la gardait comme
une victime pure et intacte à offrir au Seigneur Dieu de l'univers. Personne
n'osa approcher d'elle ni risquer un geste ou une parole qui eût alarmé sa
modestie.
Dulcétius, l'ayant
appris, se la fit amener de nouveau: « Persistes-tu dans ta témérité?
— Non pas dans ma
témérité, mais dans le culte de Dieu.
— Puisque par tes premières
réponses tu as clairement manifesté l'intention de ne pas obéir aux Empereurs,
et que je te vois persister dans le même orgueil, tu subiras la peine
méritée. » — Il demanda une tablette et écrivit : « Irène ayant contrevenu
à l'ordre impérial, refusé de sacrifier aux dieux immortels, et persévérant
aujourd'hui dans la religion des chrétiens, j'ordonne qu'elle soit brûlée vive
comme ses soeurs. »
Après le prononcé de la
sentence, les gardes conduisirent Irène sur une petite élévation, au lieu même
où ses soeurs avaient auparavant souffert le martyre. Ils allumèrent un grand
bûcher et ordonnèrent à la victime d'y monter elle-même ; elle s'y jeta en
chantant des psaumes. C'était le 1er jour d'avril, sous le neuvième
consulat de Dioclétien Auguste et le huitième de Maximien Auguste. Jésus-Christ
régnait en maître sur le monde.
A lui, avec le Père et le
Saint-Esprit, gloire dans les siècles des siècles. Amen.
LES MARTYRS. TOME II. LE TROISIÈME SIÈCLE. DIOCLÉTIEN. Recueil de pièces authentiques sur les
martre depuis les origines du christianisme jusqu'au XXe siècle, traduites
et publiées par le B. P. Dom H. Leclercq, Moine bénédictin de Saint-Michel de
Farnborough. Imprimi potest Fr. Ferdinandus Cabrol, Abbas Sancti Michaelis
Farnborough. Die 15 Martii 1903. Imprimatur. Pictavii, die 24 Martii 1903. + Henricus,
Ep. Pictaviensis.
ქალწულმოწამენი: აღაპია, ირინე და ქიონია (+304)
Agapia,
Irene, and Chionia from the Georgian translation of Menologion of Basil II.
translated into Georgian as ბასილ
II-ის მენოლოგიონი (Basil II-is Menologioni).
Also
known as
Acapis
2 April (Syrian
Church of the East calendar)
3 April (Armenian
calendar; Coptic calendar; Syriac Orthodox calendar; Aquileia, Italy)
16
April (Orthodox calendar)
Profile
Sister of Saint Chionia and Saint Irene.
Convicted of possessing the Scriptures despite a prohibition issued in 303 by
Emperor Diocletian.
She was ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods;
she refused. Martyr.
Born
3rd
century in Thessalonica, Macedonia
burned
alive in 304
Additional
Information
Book
of Saints, by the Monks of
Ramsgate
Dulcitus,
by Roswitha
Lives
of the Saints, by Father Alban
Butler
Saints
of the Day, by Katherine Rabenstein
Short
Lives of the Saints, by Eleanor Cecilia Donnelly
books
Dictionary of Saints, by John Delaney
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
Saints
and Their Attributes, by Helen Roeder
other
sites in english
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto
images
webseiten
auf deutsch
sitios
en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
sites
en français
fonti
in italiano
Martirologio Romano, 2005 edition
websites
in nederlandse
nettsteder
i norsk
MLA
Citation
“Saint Agape of
Thessalonica“. CatholicSaints.Info. 23 February 2024. Web. 24 September
2025. <https://catholicsaints.info/saint-agape-of-thessalonica/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-agape-of-thessalonica/
Also
known as
Herene
2 April (Syrian
Church of the East)
3 April (Orthodox;
Armenian; Coptic; Syriac Orthodox)
16
April (Orthodox)
Profile
Sister of Saint Agape and Saint Chionia.
Convicted of possessing the Scriptures despite a prohibition issued in 303 by
Emperor Diocletian,
and of refusing food that had been offered to the gods. Following the martyrdom of
her sisters, Irene was also ordered to deny the faith;
she refused. She was sent to a house of prostitution, and when she was
unmolested after being exposed naked and chained,
she was executed. Martyr.
Born
3rd
century in Thessalonica, Macedonia
burned
alive or shot
through the throat with an arrow (records vary) in 304 in
Thessalonica, Macedonia
in Italy
Additional
Information
Book
of Saints, by the Monks of
Ramsgate
Dulcitus,
by Roswitha
Lives
of the Saints, by Father Alban
Butler
Saints
of the Day, by Katherine Rabenstein
Saints
of the Day, by Katherine Rabenstein
books
Dictionary of Saints, by John Delaney
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
Saints
and Their Attributes, by Helen Roeder
other
sites in english
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto
images
webové
stránky v ceštine
webseiten
auf deutsch
sitios
en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
sites
en français
fonti
in italiano
Martirologio Romano, 2005 edition
websites
in nederlandse
sites
em português
MLA
Citation
“Saint Irene of
Thessalonica“. CatholicSaints.Info. 4 April 2024. Web. 24 September 2025.
<https://catholicsaints.info/saint-irene-of-thessalonica/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-irene-of-thessalonica/
Also
known as
Cionia
Quionia
2
April (Syrian Church of the East calendar)
3
April (Armenian calendar; Coptic calendar; Syriac Orthodox calendar;
Aquileia, Italy)
16
April (Orthodox calendar)
Profile
Sister of Saint Agape and Saint Irene.
Convicted of possessing the Scriptures despite a prohibition issued in 303 by
Emperor Diocletian.
She was ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods;
she refused. Martyr.
Born
3rd
century in Thessalonica, Macedonia
burned
alive in 304
Additional
Information
Book
of Saints, by the Monks of
Ramsgate
Dulcitus,
by Roswitha
Lives
of the Saints, by Father Alban
Butler
Saints
of the Day, by Katherine Rabenstein
Short
Lives of the Saints, by Eleanor Cecilia Donnelly
books
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
Saints
and Their Attributes, by Helen Roeder
other
sites in english
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto
images
webseiten
auf deutsch
sitios
en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
sites
en français
fonti
in italiano
Martirologio Romano, 2005 edition
websites
in nederlandse
nettsteder
i norsk
MLA
Citation
“Saint Chionia of
Thessalonica“. CatholicSaints.Info. 23 February 2024. Web. 23 September
2025. <https://catholicsaints.info/saint-chionia-of-thessalonica/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-chionia-of-thessalonica/
Book of Saints –
Agape and Chionia
Article
(Saints) Virgin Martyrs
(April 3) (4th century) Two sisters who, with a third sister, byname Irene, and
some other Christians, were charged with concealing the Sacred Books of the
Christians which had been ordered to be given up to be destroyed, and who were
on that account burned at the stake at Thessalonica, under the Emperor
Diocletian (A.D. 304).
MLA
Citation
Monks of Ramsgate. “Agape
and Chionia”. Book of Saints, 1921. CatholicSaints.Info.
13 April 2021. Web. 24 September 2025.
<https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-agape-and-chionia/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-agape-and-chionia/
Sts. Agape, Chionia and
Irene
Sts. Agape, Chionia and
Irene were martyred at Thessalonica, Macedonia, April 3, 304. The martyrdom of
these three sisters is related in a still preserved document.
In 303, Emperor
Diocletian issued a decree making it an offense punishable by death to possess
any portion of sacred Christian writings. Irene and her sisters, Agape and
Chionia, daughters of pagan parents living in Salonika, owned several volumes
of Holy Scriptures, which they hid. This made the girls very unhappy because
they could not read them at all hours as was their wont.
The sisters were arrested
on another charge–that of refusing to eat food that had been offered to the
gods–and taken before the governor, Dulcetius (Dulcitius). He asked each in
turn why they had refused and if they would still refuse. Agape answered: “I
believe in the living God, and will not by an evil action lose all the merit of
my past life.”
Thus, Chionia and Agape
were condemned to be burned alive, but, because of her youth, Irene was to be
imprisoned. After the execution of her older sisters, their house had been
searched and the forbidden volumes discovered.
Irene was sent to a
soldiers’ brothel, where she was stripped and chained. There she was
miraculously protected from molestation. So, after again refusing a last chance
to conform, she was sentenced to death. She died either by being forced to
throw herself into flames or, more likely, by being shot in the throat with an
arrow. The books, including the Sacred Scripture, were publicly burned. Their
feast is April 3rd.
SOURCE : http://www.ucatholic.com/saints/saints-agape-chionia-and-irene/
SS. Agape,
Chionia, and Irene, Sisters, and Their Companions, Martyrs
From their original acts, abridged
out of the presidial court registers of Thessalonica, in Surius, Ruinart, p.
421. Tillemont, t. 5. p. 240 and 680. Ceillier, t. 3. p. 490.
A.D. 304.
THESE three sisters lived at
Thessalonica, and their parents were heathens when they suffered martyrdom. In
the year 303, the emperor Dioclesian published an edict forbidding, under pain
of death, any persons to keep the holy scriptures. These saints concealed many
volumes of those sacred books, but were not discovered or apprehended till the
year following; when, as their acts relate, Dulcetius, the governor, being
seated in his tribunal, Artemesius, the secretary, said: “If you please, I will
read an information given in by the Stationary, 1 concerning
several persons here present.” Dulcetius said: “Let the information be read.”
The solicitor read as follows: “The Pensioner Cassander to Dulcetius, president
of Macedonia, greeting. I send to your highness six Christian women, with a
man, who have refused to eat meats sacrificed to the gods.—They are called
Agape, Chionia, Irene, Casia, Philippa, Eutychia, and the man’s name is Agatho,
therefore I have caused them to be brought before you.” The president, turning
to the women, said: “Wretches, what madness is this of yours, that you will not
obey the pious commands of the emperors and Cæsars?” He then said to Agatho:
“Why will you not eat of the meats offered to the gods, like other subjects of
the empire?” He answered: “Because I am a Christian.” Dulcetius.—“Do you still
persist in that resolution?” “Certainly,” replied Agatho. Dulcetius next
addressed himself to Agape, saying: “What are your sentiments?” Agape answered:
“I believe in the living God, and will not by an evil action lose all the merit
of my past life.” Then the president said: “What say you, Chionia?” She
answered: “I believe in the living God, and for that reason did not obey your
orders.” The president, turning to Irene, said: “Why did not you obey the most
pious command of our emperors and Cæsars?” Irene said: “For fear of offending
God.” President.—“But what say you, Casia?” She said: “I desire to save my
soul.” President.—“Will not you partake of the sacred offerings?” Casia.—“By no
means.” President.—“But you, Philippa, what do you say?” She answered: “I say
the same thing.” President.—“What is that?” Philippa.—“That I had rather die
than eat of your sacrifices.” President.—“And you, Eutychia, what do you say?”
“I say the same thing,” said she, “that I had rather die than do what you
command.” President.—“Are you married?” Eutychia.—“My husband has been dead
almost these seven months.” “By whom are you with child?” She answered: “By him
whom God gave me for my husband.”—President.—“I advise you, Eutychia, to leave
this folly, and resume a reasonable way of thinking; what do you say? will you
obey the imperial edict?” Eutychia.—“No: for I am a Christian, and serve the
Almighty God.” President.—“Eutychia being big with child, let her be kept in
prison.” Afterwards Dulcetius added: “Agape, what is your resolution? will you
do as we do, who are obedient and dutiful to the emperors?” Agape.—“It is not proper
to obey Satan; my soul is not to be overcome by these discourses.”
President.—“And you, Chionia, what is your final answer?” “Nothing can change
me,” said she. President.—“Have you not some books, papers, or other writings,
relating to the religion of the impious Christians?” Chionia said: “We have
none: the emperors now reigning have taken them all from us.” President.—“Who
drew you into this persuasion?” She said, “Almighty God.” President.—“Who
induced you to embrace this folly?” Chionia repeated again, “Almighty God and
his only Son our Lord Jesus Christ.” Dulcetius.—“You are all bound to obey our
most puissant emperors and Cæsars. But because you have so long obstinately
despised their just commands, and so many edicts, admonitions, and threats, and
have had the boldness and rashness to despise our orders, retaining the impious
name of Christians; and since to this very time you have not obeyed the
stationaries and officers who solicited you to renounce Jesus Christ in
writing, you shall receive the punishment you deserve.” Then he read their
sentence, which was worded as follows: “I condemn Agape and Chionia to be
burned alive, for having out of malice and obstinacy acted in contradiction to
the divine edicts of our lords the emperors and Cæsars, and who at present
profess the rash and false religion of Christians, which all pious persons
abhor.” He added: “As for the other four, let them be confined in close prison
during my pleasure.”
After these two had been consumed in
the fire, Irene was a third time brought before the president. Dulcetius said
to her: “Your madness is plain, since you have kept to this day so many books,
parchments, codicils, and papers of the scriptures of the impious Christians.
You were forced to acknowledge them when they were produced before you, though
you had before denied you had any. 2 You
will not take warning from the punishment of your sisters, neither have you the
fear of death before your eyes, your punishment therefore is unavoidable. In
the mean time, I do not refuse even now to make some condescension in your
behalf. Notwithstanding your crime, you may find pardon and be freed from
punishment, if you will yet worship the gods. What say you then? will you obey
the orders of the emperors? are you ready to sacrifice to the gods, and eat of the
victims?” Irene.—“By no means: for those who renounce Jesus Christ, the Son of
God, are threatened with eternal fire.” Dulcetius.—“Who persuaded you to
conceal those books and papers so long?” Irene.—“Almighty God, who has
commanded us to love him even unto death; on which account we dare not betray
him, but rather choose to be burnt alive, or suffer anything whatsoever than
discover such writings.” President.—“Who knew that those writings were in the
house?” “Nobody,” said she, “but the Almighty, from whom nothing is hidden: for
we concealed them even from our own domestics, lest they should accuse us.”
President.—“Where did you hide yourselves last year, when the pious edict of
our emperors was first published?” Irene.—“Where it pleased God, in the mountains.”
President.—“With whom did you live?” Irene.—“We were in the open air, sometimes
on one mountain, sometimes on another.” President.—“Who supplied you with
bread?” Irene.—“God, who gives food to all flesh.” President.—“Was your father
privy to it?” Irene.—“No; he had not the least knowledge of it.”
President.—“Which of your neighbours knew it?” Irene.—“Inquire in the
neighbourhood, and make your search.” President.—“After you returned from the
mountains, as you say, did you read those books to any body?” Irene.—“They were
hidden at our own house, and we durst not produce them; and we were in great
trouble, because we could not read them night and day, as we had been
accustomed to do.” Dulcetius.—“Your sisters have already suffered the
punishments to which they were condemned. As for you, Irene, though you were
condemned to death before your flight for having hid these writings, I will not
have you die so suddenly: but I order that you be exposed naked in a brothel,
and be allowed one loaf a day, to be sent you from the palace; and that the
guards do not suffer you to stir out of it one moment under pain of death to
them.” The infamous sentence was rigorously executed; but God protecting her,
no man durst approach her, nor say or do any indecency to her. The president
caused her to be brought again before him, and said to her: “Do you still
persist in your rashness?” “Not in rashness,” said Irene, “but in piety towards
God.” Dulcetius.—“You shall suffer the just punishment of your insolence and
obstinacy.” And having called for paper, he wrote this sentence: “Since Irene
will not obey the emperor’s orders and sacrifice to the gods, but, on the
contrary, persists still in the religion of the Christians, I order her to be
immediately burnt alive, as her sisters have been.” Dulcetius had no sooner
pronounced this sentence but the soldiers seized Irene, and brought her to a
rising ground where her sisters had suffered martyrdom, and having lighted a
large pile, ordered her to mount thereon. Irene, singing psalms, and
celebrating the glory of God, threw herself on the pile, and was there consumed
in the ninth consulship of Dioclesian, and the eighth of Maximian, on the 1st
day of April; but Ado, Usuard, and the Roman Martyrology name St. Agape and
Chionia on the 3rd, and St. Irene on the 5th of April.
These saints suffered a glorious
martyrdom rather than offend God by an action which several Christians at that
time on various foolish pretexts excused to themselves. How many continually
form to themselves a false conscience to palliate the enormity of gross sins in
spite of the light of reason and the gospel; in which their case is far more
deplorable and desperate than that of the most flagrant sinners! These are
often awakened to sincere repentance: but what hopes can we have of those who,
wilfully blinding themselves, imagine all goes right with them, even whilst
they are running headlong into perdition? How many excuse to themselves
notorious usuries and a thousand frauds, detractions, slanders, revenge,
antipathies, sensual fondnesses, and criminal familiarities, envy, jealousy,
hypocrisy, pride, and numberless other crimes! How often do men canonize the
grossest vices under the glorious names of charity, zeal, prudence, constancy,
and other virtues! The principal sources of this fatal misfortune of a false
conscience are, first, the passions. These so strangely blind the understanding
and pervert the judgment, that men fail not to extenuate the enormity of their
crimes, and even to justify to themselves many violations of the divine law
where any passion hath a strong bias. Whatever men are eagerly bent to commit,
they easily find pretences to call lawful. A second cause of our practical
errors are the example and false maxims of the world. We flatter ourselves that
what every body does must be lawful, as if the multitude of sinners could
authorize any crime, or as if the rule by which Christ will judge us, was the
custom or example of others; or lastly, as if the world had not framed a false
system of morals very opposite to the gospel. A third source of this dreadful
and common evil is an affected ignorance. Parents, magistrates, priests, and
others, are frequently unacquainted with several essential obligations of their
state. How often are Christians ignorant of many practical duties which they
owe to God, their neighbours, and themselves!
Note 1. Stationarius was a person appointed
to keep ward in any place. Such officers, when distinguished by certain
privileges, or particular benefits, conferred upon them for past services in
the army, were also called Beneficiarii. [back]
Note
2. They probably were not then in her
custody, at least not known to Chionia, who had denied them: or she only denied
herself convicted of the fact in court. [back]
Rev. Alban Butler
(1711–73). Volume IV: April. The Lives of the Saints. 1866.
Sts. Agape, Chionia and
Irene
Sts. Agape, Chionia and
Irene were martyred at Thessalonica, Macedonia, April 3, 304. The martyrdom of
these three sisters is related in a still preserved document.
In 303, Emperor
Diocletian issued a decree making it an offense punishable by death to possess
any portion of sacred Christian writings. Irene and her sisters, Agape and
Chionia, daughters of pagan parents living in Salonika, owned several volumes
of Holy Scriptures, which they hid. This made the girls very unhappy because
they could not read them at all hours as was their wont.
The sisters were arrested
on another charge–that of refusing to eat food that had been offered to the
gods–and taken before the governor, Dulcetius (Dulcitius). He asked each in
turn why they had refused and if they would still refuse. Agape answered: “I
believe in the living God, and will not by an evil action lose all the merit of
my past life.”
Thus, Chionia and Agape
were condemned to be burned alive, but, because of her youth, Irene was to be
imprisoned. After the execution of her older sisters, their house had been
searched and the forbidden volumes discovered.
Irene was sent to a
soldiers’ brothel, where she was stripped and chained. There she was
miraculously protected from molestation. So, after again refusing a last chance
to conform, she was sentenced to death. She died either by being forced to
throw herself into flames or, more likely, by being shot in the throat with an
arrow. The books, including the Sacred Scripture, were publicly burned. Their
feast is April 3rd.
SOURCE : https://www.stgregoryarmenian.org/sts-agape-chionia-irene/
Agape, Chionia (Chione)
& Irene VV MM (RM)
Died at Thessalonica, Macedonia, April 3, 304. The martyrdom of these three
sisters is related in a document that is a somewhat more amplified version of
genuine records.
In 303, Emperor
Diocletian issued a decree making it an offense punishable by death to possess
any portion of sacred Christian writings. Irene and her sisters, Agape and
Chionia, daughters of pagan parents living in Salonika, owned several volumes
of Holy Scriptures, which they hid. This made the girls very unhappy because
they could not read them at all hours as was their wont.
The sisters were arrested
on another charge--that of refusing to eat food that had been offered to the
gods--and taken before the governor, Dulcetius (Dulcitius). He asked each in
turn why they had refused and if they would still refuse. Agape answered:
"I believe in the living God, and will not by an evil action lose all the
merit of my past life." Some of the transcript follows:
Dulcetius: "Why
didn't you obey the most pious command of our emperors and Caesars?"
Irene: "For fear of
offending God."
Dulcetius: "But what
say you, Casia?"
Casia: "I desire to
save my soul."
Dulcetius: "Will not
you partake of the sacred offerings?"
Casia: "By no
means."
Dulcetius: "But you,
Philippa, what do you say?"
Philippa: "I say the
same thing."
Dulcetius: "What is
that?"
Philippa: "That I
had rather die than eat of your sacrifices."
Dulcetius: "And you,
Eutychia, what do you say?"
Eutychia: "I say the
same thing: that I had rather die than do what you command." Dulcetius:
"Are you married?"
Eutychia: "My
husband has been dead almost seven months."
Dulcetius: "By whom
are you with child?"
Eutychia: "By him
whom God gave me for my husband."
Dulcetius: "I advise
you, Eutychia, to leave this folly, and resume a reasonable way of thinking;
what do you say? will you obey the imperial edict?"
Eutychia: "No: for I
am a Christian, and serve the Almighty God."
Dulcetius: "Eutychia
being big with child, let her be kept in prison. Agape, what is your
resolution? will you do as we do, who are obedient and dutiful to the
emperors?"
Agape: "It is not
proper to obey Satan; my soul is not to be overcome by these discourses."
Dulcetius: "And you,
Chionia, what is your final answer?"
Chionia: "Nothing
can change me."
Dulcetius: "Have you
not some books, papers, or other writings, relating to the religion of the
impious Christians?"
Chionia: "We have
none: the emperors now reigning have taken them all from us."
Dulcetius: "Who drew
you into this persuasion?"
Chionia: "Almighty
God."
Dulcetius: "Who
induced you to embrace this folly?"
Chionia: "Almighty
God, and his only Son our Lord Jesus Christ."
Dulcetius: "You are
all bound to obey our most puissant emperors and Caesars. But because you have
so long obstinately despised their just commands, and so many edicts,
admonitions, and threats, and have had the boldness and rashness to despise our
orders, retaining the impious name of Christians; and since to this very time
you have not obeyed the stationers and officers who solicited you to renounce
Jesus Christ in writing, you shall receive the punishment you deserve.
"I condemn Agape and
Chionia to be burnt alive. for having out of malice and obstinacy acted in
contradiction to the divine edicts of our lords the emperors and Caesars, and
who at present profess the rash and false religion of Christians, which all
pious persons abhor. As for the other four, let them be confined in close
prison during my pleasure."
Thus, Chionia and Agape
were condemned to be burned alive, but, because of her youth, Irene was to be
imprisoned. After the execution of her older sisters, their house had been
searched and the forbidden volumes discovered. Irene was examined again:
Dulcetius: "Your
madness is plain, since you have kept to this day so many books, parchments,
codicils, and papers of the scriptures of the impious Christians. You were
forced to acknowledge them when they were produced before you, though you had
before denied you had any. You will not take warning from the punishment of
your sisters, neither have you the fear of death before your eyes your
punishment therefore is unavoidable. In the mean time I do not refuse even now
to make some condescension in your behalf. Notwithstanding your crime, you may
find pardon and be freed from punishment, if you will yet worship the gods.
What say you then? Will you obey the orders of the emperors? Are you ready to
sacrifice to the gods, and eat of the victims?"
Irene: "By no means:
for those that renounce Jesus Christ, the Son of God, are threatened with
eternal fire."
Dulcetius: "Who
persuaded you to conceal those books and papers so long?"
Irene: "Almighty
God, who has commanded us to love Him even unto death; on which account we dare
not betray Him, but rather choose to be burnt alive, or suffer any thing
whatsoever than discover such writings."
Dulcetius: "Who knew
that those writings were in the house?"
Irene: "Nobody but
the Almighty, from Whom nothing is hid: for we concealed them even from our own
domestics, lest they should accuse us."
During the questioning
Irene told him that when the emperor's decree against Christians was published,
she and others fled to the mountains without her father's knowledge. She
avoided implicating those who had helped them, and declared that nobody but
themselves know they had the books:
Dulcetius: "Where
did you hide yourselves last year, when the pious edict of our emperors was
first published?"
Irene: "Where it
pleased God, in the mountains."
Dulcetius: "With
whom did you live?
Irene: "We were in
the open air, sometimes on one mountain, sometimes on another."
Dulcetius: "Who
supplied you with bread?"
Irene: "God, Who
gives food to all flesh."
Dulcetius: "Was your
father privy to it?
Irene: "No; he had
not the least knowledge of it."
Dulcetius: "Which of
your neighbors knew it?"
Irene: "Inquire in
the neighborhood, and make your search."
Dulcetius: "After
you returned from the mountains, as you say, did you read those books to
anybody?"
Irene: "They were
hid at our own house, and we dared not produce them; and we were in great
trouble, because we could not read them night and day, as we had been
accustomed to do."
Dulcetius: "Your
sisters have already suffered the punishments to which they were condemned. As
for you, Irene, though you were condemned to death before your flight for
having hid these writings, I will not have you die so suddenly, but I order
that you be exposed naked in a brothel, and be allowed one loaf a day, to be
sent you from the palace; and that the guards do not suffer you to stir out of
it one moment, under pain of death to them."
Irene was sent to a
soldiers' brothel, where she was stripped and chained. There she was
miraculously protected from molestation. So, after again refusing a last chance
to conform, she was sentenced to death. She died either by being forced to
throw herself into flames or, more likely, by being shot in the throat with an
arrow. The books, including the Sacred Scripture, were publicly burned.
The one expanded version
of the story relates that Irene was taken to a rising ground, where she mounted
a large, lighted pile. While signing psalms and celebrating the glory of the
Lord, she threw herself on the pile and was consumed.
Three other women (Casia,
Philippa, Eutychia) and a man (Agatho) were tried with these martyrs. Eutychia
was remanded because she was pregnant. It is not recorded what happened to the
others. Agape and Chionia died on April 3; Irene on April 5, which is her
actual feast day (Attwater, Attwater2, Benedictines, Delaney, Encyclopedia,
Farmer, Husenbeth, White).
In art, this trio is
represented generally as three maidens carrying pitchers, though they may be
shown being burned at the stake (Roeder). They are venerated in Salonika
(Roeder).
SOURCE : http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0403.shtml
Saints Agape, Chione, and
Irene, Virgin Martyrs of the Church
Today, April 3, we
celebrate the feast of Saints Agape, Chione, and Irene, three sisters and
virgin martyrs of the early Church (died 304). These sisters, whose names
translate as “Love,” “Peace,” and “White-as-Snow” held to their beliefs in a
time when being Christian was dangerous, willingly and courageously going to
their deaths as martyrs for the faith.
Born in the Italian city
of Aquilea, these three sisters were left orphaned at an early age, and raised
each other as best they could. Each led a pious, Christian life, turning down
offers of marriage to remain pure and consecrated to Christ. As they grew, the
sisters found a spiritual director in a local priest, name Xeno. Father Xeno
soon died, but not before predicting that the three young women would suffer
and die for their faith. Similarly, Saint Anastasia the Martyr predicted the
same fact, visiting the women and encouraging them.
Agape, Chione, and Irene
lived their lives fearlessly, but it was not long before the were arrested and
brought before the Emperor Diocletian for possessing books containing the Holy
Scriptures-- an offense punishable by death during the persecution of
Christians. The emperor, for his part, was moved by the youth and beauty of the
sisters, and personally encouraged them to deny the faith and sacrifice to the
pagan gods. He went as far as to promise each of them a lavish wedding to a
powerful groom from his inner circle. The women replied that their only
Bridegroom was Christ, for whom they were ready to suffer.
Diocletian was angered,
ordering the sisters to renounce Christ. They refused, restating the fact that
pagan gods were idols made by human hands. They further preached the Gospel to
the emperor, and it is said that some of those present embraced the faith!
Diocletian ordered the
sisters be taken to a mountain retreat in Thessalonica (modern Greece), to the
court of the governor, Dulcititus, there. When this man saw their beauty, he
was aroused with impure passions, telling the sisters that they would receive
their freedom if they agreed to fulfill his desires. Again, they replied that
they were prepared to die for Christ.
Governor Dulcititus
decided to have his way with the sisters by force. As they were praying at
night, Dulcititus came to the door and tried to enter, but an invisible force
prevented him. He staggered about, falling down the stairs into the kitchen,
landing in the cookfire and being covered in soot. When he saw himself in the
mirror, he realized that the holy martyrs had made a fool of him and decided to
exact revenge.
That morning, at court,
Dulcititus gave orders to strip the holy martyrs naked. No matter how hard they
tried, however, the soldiers were unable to do so. The women’s clothing seemed
to be stuck to their bodies. Dulcititus gave up, unsure of how to proceed, and
sent message to Emperor Diocletian. The Emperor ordered the women to stand
trial.
Beginning with the
youngest sister, Irene, the magistrate berated her to no effect. She stood
courageously before the court, separated from her sisters, but full of
confidence and faith in the Lord. Having no luck, she was thrown into prison.
The magistrate attempted the same process with Saints Chione and Agape, again
failing to make them renounce the faith. Frustrated, he ordered them burned to
death, upon which the sisters gave thanks to God for allowing them to die for
Him. Saints Agape and Chione died peacefully in the fire, praising the Lord.
When the fire went was extinguished, all those present saw that the bodies of
the holy martyrs and their clothing had not been scorched, and their faces were
beautiful and peaceful, as if they were asleep.
The next morning, the
magistrate brought Saint Irene back to court. He threatened her with the fate
of her older sisters and urged her to renounce Christ. He then threatened to
hand her over for defilement in a brothel, but the holy martyr answered, “Even
if my body is defiled by force, my soul will never be defiled by renouncing
Christ.”
While the soldiers were
leading Saint Irene to the brothel, two luminous soldiers—angels of Heaven--
intercepted them and said, “Your master commands you to take this virgin to a
high mountain and leave her there, and then return to him and report that you
have fulfilled his command.” The soldiers did as instructed, but the magistrate
flew into a rage, having given no such order. The soldiers returned to the
mountain and found Saint Irene, saved from physical defilement, in prayer. One
of the soldiers then wounded Saint Irene with an arrow. She cried out “I mock
your impotent malice, and I go to my Lord Jesus Christ pure and undefiled,” and
offered her soul in praise to God.
Sisters in the flesh
united in the Spirit,
you wrestled with the
prince of evil and endured your martyrdom.
Holy and blest Agape,
Irene, and Chione,
pray to Christ our God to
save our souls.
Magnifying Christ.
Becoming beautiful brides
of Christ,
You offered to Him a gift
of blood and sacrifice,
O passion-bearing
maidens,
Irene, Agape and glorious
Chionia,
Rightly entering the
bridal chamber,
Ever filled with
ineffable enlightenment.
Therefore celebrating in
spirit
Your precious and holy
memory,
We give glory to the
Savior
And cry out in piety:
Pray to the Lord for us.
SOURCE : http://365rosaries.blogspot.ca/2011/04/saints-agape-chione-and-irene-virgin.html
Short
Lives of the Saints – Saint Agapa and Chionia, Martyrs
Entry
In the year 304, when
Diocletian was violently persecuting the Church of Christ, his special aim was
to discover and destroy not only the Christian bishops and priests, but the
sacred books which they sought to preserve from the fury of the pagans. Agapa
and Chionia, two devout sisters, having been entrusted with the care of some of
these holy books, fled away with them into the mountains of Thessalonica, where
they wandered about, guarding the precious deposit, for a whole year.
Apprehended at last, and the books discovered in their possession, they were
condemned to be burnt at the stake; but the flames merely stifled them without
inflicting other injury on their holy persons.
. . . Books are yours,
Within whose silent chambers treasure lies.
Preserved from age to age, more precious far
Than the accumulated store of gold
And orient gems.
– William Wordsworth
Favorite Practice – To
preserve a deep reverence for the Holy Scriptures.
MLA
Citation
Eleanor Cecilia Donnelly.
“Saint Agapa and Chionia, Martyrs”. Short
Lives of the Saints, 1910. CatholicSaints.Info.
13 April 2021. Web. 24 September 2025.
<https://catholicsaints.info/short-lives-of-the-saints-saint-agapa-and-chionia-martyrs/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/short-lives-of-the-saints-saint-agapa-and-chionia-martyrs/
St. Agape
Feastday: April 3
Death: 304
Agape and her sisters
Chionia and Irene, Christians of Thessalonica, Macedonia, were convicted of
possessing texts of the Scriptures despite a decree issued
in 303 by Emperor Diocletian naming
such possessions a crime punishable by death. When they further refused
to sacrifice to pagan gods,
the governor, Dulcitius, had Agape and
Chionia burned alive. When Irene still refused to recant, Dulcitius ordered her
sent to a house of prostitution. There she was unmolested after being exposed
naked and chained, she was put to death either by burning or by an arrow
through her throat.
SOURCE : https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=468
Book of Saints –
Irene – 5 April
(Saint) Virgin Martyr
(April 5) (4th century) The sister of Saints Agape and Chionia who followed
them to the stake at Thessalonica (A.D. 304) in the persecution under
Diocletian. She was one of those devoted Christians who at the cost of their
lives succeeded in concealing and preserving for posterity copies of the Holy
Scriptures and other Sacred Books, the destruction of which was avowedly a
primary object of the frightful persecution at the end of the third century.
MLA
Citation
Monks of Ramsgate.
“Irene”. Book of Saints, 1921. CatholicSaints.Info.
10 September 2013. Web. 24 September 2025.
<https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-irene-5-april/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-irene-5-april/
Irene VM (RM)
Died at Thessalonica, Macedonia, April 5, 304. The martyrdom of Irene's sisters
Agape and Chionia is described on April 3. The story is based on an amplified
version of genuine records. In 303, Emperor Diocletian issued a decree making
it an offense punishable by death to possess any portion of sacred Christian
writings. Irene and her siblings, daughters of pagan parents living in
Salonika, owned and hid several of the forbidden volumes of Holy Scriptures.
The sisters were arrested and Chionia and Agape were sentenced by Governor
Dulcitius to be burned alive because they refused to consume foods offered to
pagan gods. Meanwhile, their house had been searched and the forbidden volumes
discovered.
Irene was examined again, and said that when the emperor's decree against
Christians was published, she and others fled to the mountains. She avoided
implicating those who had helped them, and declared that nobody but themselves
know they had the books: "We feared our own people as much as
anybody."
Irene was sent to a soldiers' brothel, where she was stripped and chained but was
miraculously protected from molestation. So, after again refusing a last chance
to conform, she was sentenced to death. She died two days after her sisters
either by being forced to throw herself into flames or, more likely, by being
shot in the throat with an arrow. The books, including the Sacred Scripture,
were publicly burned.
Three other women and a man were tried with these martyrs, of whom one woman
was remanded because she was pregnant. It is not recorded what happened to the
others (Attwater, Benedictines, Delaney, Encyclopedia, White).
In art, this trio is represented generally as three maidens carrying pitchers,
though they may be shown being burned at the stake (Roeder). They are venerated
in Salonika (Roeder).
SOURCE : http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0405.shtml
Ss. Agape, Irene &
Chione
The Holy Martyrs Agape,
Irene, and Chione were sisters who lived at the end of the third century to the
beginning of the fourth century, near the Italian city of Aquilea. They were
left orphaned at an early age.
The young women led a
pious Christian life and turned down many offers of marriage. Their spiritual
guide was the priest Xeno. It was revealed to him in a vision that he would die
soon, and that the holy virgins would suffer martyrdom. Also at Aquilea and
having a similar vision was the Great Martyr Anastasia who is called “Deliverer
from Potions” (as she fearlessly visited Christians in prison, encouraging them
and healing them from potions, poisons, and other harmful things). The Great
Martyr Anastasia visited the sisters and urged them to endure all things for
Christ. Soon what was predicted in the vision came to pass. The priest Xeno
died, and the three virgins were arrested and brought to trial before Emperor
Diocletian.
St. Chione (“snow” in
Greek) preserved the purity of her baptism according to the words of the
Prophet-King David, “You will wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Ps.
50/51:7).
St. Irene (“peace” in
Greek) preserved the peace of Christ within herself and manifested it to
others, according to the Savior’s word, “My peace I give you” (John 14:27).
St. Agape (“love” in
Greek) loved God with all her heart, and her neighbor as herself (Mt.
22:37-39).
Seeing the youthful
beauty of the sisters, the emperor urged them to deny Christ and promised to
find them illustrious bridegrooms from his entourage. The holy sisters replied
that their only Bridegroom was Christ, for Whom they were ready to suffer. The
emperor demanded they renounce Christ, but none of them would consent. The
sisters called the pagan gods mere idols made by human hands, and they preached
faith in the true God.
By Diocletian’s order,
the holy sisters were brought to Macedonia to the court of Governor Dulcititus.
When Dulcititus saw their beauty, he was aroused with impure passions. He put
the sisters under guard and told them that they would receive their freedom if
they agreed to fulfill his desires. However, they replied that they were
prepared to die for their Heavenly Bridegroom, Christ.
Dulcititus decided to
have his way by force. When the holy sisters arose at night to glorify the Lord
in prayer, Dulcititus came to the door and tried to enter, but an invisible
force prevented him. He staggered about, unable to find his way out. He then
fell down in the kitchen among the cooking utensils and became covered with
soot. The servants and the soldiers barely recognized him. When he saw himself
in the mirror, he realized that the holy martyrs had made a fool of him and
decided to take revenge.
At court, Dulcititus gave
orders to strip the holy martyrs. However, the soldiers were unable to do so,
no matter how hard they tried. The women’s clothing seemed to be stuck to their
bodies.
When everything that had
happened was reported to Emperor Diocletian, he became angry and gave the holy
virgins over to Sisinius for trial. Sisinius began with the youngest sister,
Irene. Seeing that she remained unyielding, he sent her to prison and attempted
to sway Sts. Chione and Agape, but he also failed to make them renounce Christ.
Sisinius ordered that Sts. Agape and Chione be burned. On hearing the sentence,
the sisters gave thanks to the Lord for their crowns of martyrdom. In the fire,
Agape and Chione surrendered their pure souls to the Lord.
When the fire went was
extinguished, all those present saw that the bodies of the holy martyrs and
their clothing had not been scorched, and their faces were beautiful and
peaceful, as if they were asleep. On the following day, Sisinius gave orders to
bring St. Irene to court. He threatened her with the fate of her older sisters and
urged her to renounce Christ. He then threatened to hand her over for
defilement in a brothel, but the holy martyr answered, “Even if my body is
defiled by force, my soul will never be defiled by renouncing Christ.”
While the soldiers were
leading St, Irene to the brothel, two luminous images in soldier’s uniforms
appeared before them and said, “Your master Sisinius commands you to take this
virgin to a high mountain and leave her there, and then return to him and
report that you have fulfilled his command.”
When they reported back
to Sisinius, he flew into a rage, since he had given no such orders. The
luminous soldiers were angels of God, saving the holy martyr from defilement.
Sisinius went to the mountain with a detachment of soldiers and saw St. Irene
on the summit. They searched for the way to the top, but could not find it. One
of the soldiers then wounded St. Irene with an arrow. The martyr cried out to
Sisinius, “I mock your impotent malice, and I go to my Lord Jesus Christ pure
and undefiled.” Having given thanks to the Lord, she lay down upon the ground
and surrendered her soul to God on the very day of Holy Pascha in 304.
The Great Martyr
Anastasia heard about the end of the holy sisters, and she buried their bodies
with reverence.
Troparion (Tone 1) –
Sisters in the flesh
united in the Spirit,
you wrestled with the
prince of evil and endured your martyrdom.
Holy and blest Agape,
Irene, and Chionía,
pray to Christ our God to
save our souls.
Kontakion (Tone 3) –
Bright mirrors of
virginity,
radiant with your
martyrdom,
you fill the Church with
light and dispel the darkness of evil,
Agape, Irene, and
Chionía, Christ’s precious jewels.
Troparion (Tone 4) –
Completing the course of
your life in martyrdom
And having kept the
faith,
As lambs endowed with
reason
You were led before
Christ the Lamb and Shepherd.
Therefore rejoicing now
in spirit,
We celebrate your
wondrous and holy memory,
Magnifying Christ.
Kontakion (Tone 4) –
Becoming beautiful brides
of Christ,
You offered to Him a gift
of blood and sacrifice,
O passion-bearing
maidens,
Irene, Agape and glorious
Chionia,
Rightly entering the
bridal chamber,
Ever filled with
ineffable enlightenment.
Therefore celebrating in
spirit
Your precious and holy
memory,
We give glory to the
Savior
And cry out in piety:
Pray to the Lord for us.
By permission of the
Orthodox Church in America (www.oca.org)
SOURCE : http://www.antiochian.org/node/18245
Sante Agape e
Chionia Martiri a Salonicco
Festa: 1 aprile
† Salonicco, 304
Martiri a Salonicco,
subirono il loro destino durante le persecuzioni di Diocleziano. Il loro
martirio, narrato in un documento che amplifica testimonianze genuine, ci offre
uno spaccato della fede incrollabile di queste donne di fronte al potere
imperiale. Arrestate per aver rifiutato di cibarsi di carne sacrificata agli
dei, Agape e Chionia professarono la loro fede in Cristo e furono condannate al
rogo. Irene, scoperta in possesso di libri cristiani, subì un destino più
crudele: denudata e condotta in un bordello, rimase miracolosamente intatta.
Rifiutandosi di abiurare, fu condannata a morte.
Emblema: PalmaMartirologio
Romano: A Salonicco in Macedonia, ora in Grecia, sante Agape e Chionia,
vergini e martiri, che durante la persecuzione dell’imperatore Diocleziano,
essendosi rifiutate di mangiare la carne di animali sacrificati agli idoli,
furono consegnate al governatore Dulcezio e condannate al rogo.
Sant' Irene di
Salonicco Vergine e martire
Festa: 5 aprile
† Salonicco, 304
Pace, carità e purezza:
così si fecero battezzare le tre sorelle martiri a Salonicco nel 304 sotto il
governatore Dulcezio, durante le persecuzioni di Diocleziano. Irene è l’ultima,
colpevole di aver nascosto alla legge le Sacre Scritture e di non aver mangiato
il cibo offerto agli dei.
Emblema: Palma
Martirologio
Romano: A Salonicco nella Macedonia, ora in Grecia, santa Irene, vergine e
martire, che per aver disatteso l’editto di Diocleziano conservando nascosti i
libri sacri fu portata in un pubblico lupanare e poi messa al rogo per ordine
del governatore Dulcezio, sotto il quale anche le sue sorelle Agape e Chiona
avevano precedentemente subito il martirio.
Sante AGAPE, CHIONIA ed
IRENE, Martiri a Salonicco
Il martirio di queste tre giovani sorelle è raccontato in un documento che è
una versione un po' ampliata di testimonianze genuine. Le donne furono portate
davanti al governatore della Macedonia, Dulcizio, con l'accusa di aver
rifiutato di mangiare del cibo che era stato offerto in sacrificio agli dei.
Quando il Governatore chiese loro da chi avevano imparato idee così strane, Chionia rispose: "Da nostro Signore Gesù Cristo" e di nuovo lei e Agape rifiutarono di mangiare l'empio cibo e, a causa di ciò, furono bruciate vive. Intanto Dulcizio era venuto a sapere che Irene aveva conservato in suo possesso dei libri cristiani invece di consegnarli come richiedeva la legge. La interrogò di nuovo e lei disse che quando era stato pubblicato il decreto dell'Imperatore contro i cristiani lei e altri erano fuggiti sulle montagne. Evitò di coinvolgere le persone che le avevano aiutate e dichiarò che nessuno tranne loro sapeva che avevano i libri: "Temevamo la nostra gente quanto ogni altro" disse.
Dopo il loro ritorno a casa avevano nascosto i libri ed erano state molto infelici perché non potevano leggerli a tutte le ore come era loro abitudine. Il Governatore ordinò che Irene fosse denudata ed esposta in un bordello, ma là nessuno la molestava, così le fu data un'ultima possibilità di sottomettersi e poi fu condannata a morte. Anche i libri, le Sacre Scritture, furono bruciati pubblicamente.
Altre tre donne e un uomo furono giudicati insieme a queste martiri; una delle donne fu rinviata in carcere perché era incinta. Non è riferito cosa accadde di loro.
Autore: Donald Attwater
SOURCE : https://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/48273
SAN IRENE
Martire
Morta martirizzata il 5 Aprile del 304, dopo il martirio delle sue sorelle, santa Agape e santa Chiona (che viene descritto il 3 Aprile). Il fatto narrato negli atti dei martiri, si svolge a Tessalonica, odierna Salonicco, capoluogo della Macedonia. Siamo nei primi anni delle persecuzioni dei cristiani sotto Diocleziano. Le tre sorelle (Irene, Chiona e Agape), sono molto giovani. Insieme a loro altri martiri, di cui però non è raccontata la fine. Elemento della condanna è il possesso delle Sacre Scritture, che le tre ragazze avevano e la cui proprietà era stata vietata da un editto. Dal racconto si evince che le fanciulle provenissero da una famiglia pagana. Probabilmente la loro conversione era recente e stavano studiando le Scritture dopo aver lasciato ogni ricchezza ("quelle tre donne... lasciarono la patria, i parenti e ogni ricchezza"). La storia è basata su una versione amplificata delle vere memorie.
Nel 303, l'imperatore Diocleziano aveva emanato un decreto che rendeva una offesa punibile con la morte, il possesso di ogni parte di scritti cristiani. Irene e le sue sorelle, che possedevano e nascondevano diversi volumi proibiti delle Sacre Scritture, si erano nascoste su un monte, dove vivevano in preghiera; trovate ed arrestate, vennero condotte dal governatore. Ecco come gli atti dei martiri descrivono le tre ragazze: ". Una di loro tre, che possedeva la perfezione del precetto, poiché amava Iddio con tutta la sua anima e il prossimo come se stessa...si chiamava Agape, perché con questo nome i greci indicano l'amore. Un'altra, che conservava puro e splendido il nitore della veste battesimale ricevette il nome della neve, poiché si chiamava Chione (in greco: neve). La terza aveva in sé il dono del Salvatore...cioè la pace.era chiamata da tutti Irene, parola che in greco significa pace.". Le due sorelle di Irene vengono condannate, dal governatore Dulcezio, dopo che avevano rifiutato di consumare cibo offerto a dei pagani: "Ordino che Agape e Chione, che trascinate da malvagio sentimento e pensiero contrario, hanno agito contro il divino editto dei sovrani.e anche ora praticano la religione dei cristiani, temeraria, vana ed esecrabile per tutti i pii, siano arse al rogo".
Intanto, la loro casa veniva cercata e i volumi proibiti scoperti. Irene nuovamente interrogata, e racconta che quando il decreto dell'imperatore contro i cristiani era stato emanato, lei e le altre erano fuggite sulle montagne. Evitava di implicare coloro che le avevano aiutate, e dichiarava che nessuno se non loro stesse, sapeva che possedevano i libri: "Consideriamo i nostri parenti peggiori dei nostri nemici, per paura che ci denuncino. Perciò non li abbiamo fatti vedere a nessuno". Dulcezio cerca di convincerla ad abiurare, ma lei rifiuta; allora gli domanda, forse vedendola così giovane: "Chi mai ti ha esortato a conservare fino ad oggi codeste pergamene e Scritture?". E Irene: "Quel Dio onnipotente che ci ha comandato di amarlo fino alla morte". Dulcezio decide per Irene, condannata per il possesso delle Sacre Scritture, una pena più "lenta" di quella inflitta alle sorelle: ".Non voglio però che esca da questa vita rapidamente, al pari loro, ma comando che.tu sia messa nuda nel lupanare, dove mangerai ogni giorno solo pane.". Irene viene mandata in un bordello per soldati, dove venne spogliata ed incatenata, ma miracolosamente ".neppure uno osò avvicinarsi o fare e dire cose sconvenienti contro di lei". Dulcezio, allora, la richiama e chiede: "Persisti ancora nella stessa temerarietà? - e Irene: - Non è affatto temerarietà, ma è pietà verso Dio quella in cui persisto". Così, dopo aver rifiutato l'ultima possibilità di conformarsi, viene condannata a morte: "Poiché Irene non ha voluto ubbidire all'ordine dei sovrani e si è rifiutata d'immolare agli idoli, anzi rimane ancora tacitamente fedele alla setta dei cristiani, per questo motivo ordino che sia arsa viva, come lo sono state le sue due sorelle".
Due giorni dopo le sorelle, Irene è condotta nello stesso luogo del loro martirio. Acceso un rogo le ordinano di salirvi; Irene muore, inchiodata su di un palo (secondo altri viene uccisa con un colpo di freccia in gola) " cantando salmi e magnificando la gloria di Dio.". I libri, inclusa la Sacra Scrittura, vennero pubblicamente bruciati.
Nell'arte questo trio, molto venerato a Salonicco, viene rappresentato,
generalmente, come tre fanciulle che portano della pece.
|
[ Testo di "Gruppo
santi di via Pienza" ] |
SOURCE : http://www.enrosadira.it/santi/i/irene.htm
De hellige Irene, Agape
og Chionia av Thessaloniki ( -304)
Minnedag:
1. april
De hellige Irene, Agape
og Chonia (Chione) var søstre fra Thessaloniki i Makedonia i Nord-Hellas. Selv
om deres foreldre var hedninger, var de tre kristne jomfruer. Beretningen om
deres martyrium er bevart i et dokument som er en noe utvidet versjon av ekte
akter. Under Maximians forfølgelser forlot de sine hjem og dro for å bo på et
fjell i nærheten og leve liv i bønn. Men de ble arrestert sent i 303 i
forfølgelsene under keiser Diokletian (284-305).
I 303 utstedte keiser
Diokletian et edikt som ga dødsstraff for å inneha deler av kristne hellige
skrifter. De tre søstrene eide flere bind av hellige bøker, som de gjemte.
Dette gjorde dem svært ulykkelige, for nå kunne de ikke lese i dem til alle
tider som de ønsket.
Søstrene ble arrestert og
ført for guvernøren av Makedonia, Dulcetius (Dulcitius), anklaget for en annen
forbrytelse, nemlig å ha nektet å spise mat som var blitt ofret til gudene. Han
spurte dem etter tur hvorfor de hadde nektet dette og om de ville fortsette å
nekte. Agape svarte: «Jeg tror på den levende Gud og vil ikke gjennom en ond
handling miste all fortjeneste i mitt tidligere liv». Tre andre kvinner. Casia,
Filippa og Eutychia, og mannen Agatho ble avhørt sammen med dem. Her følger
deler av avhøret:
Dulcetius: «Hvorfor
adlød dere ikke det frommeste påbud fra våre keisere og medkeisere?»
Irene: «Av frykt for
å krenke Gud».
Dulcetius: «Men hva
sier du, Casia?»
Casia: «Jeg ønsker å
redde min sjel».
Dulcetius: «Vil ikke
du delta i de hellige ofringene?»
Casia: «Overhode
ikke».
Dulcetius: «Men du,
Filippa, hva sier du?»
Filippa: «Jeg sier
det samme».
Dulcetius: «Hva er
det?»
Filippa: «At jeg
heller vil dø enn å spise av deres offer».
Dulcetius: «Og du,
Eutychia, hva sier du?»
Eutychia: «Jeg sier
det samme. at jeg heller vil dø enn å gjøre som du befaler».
Dulcetius: «Er du
gift?»
Eutychia: «Min mann
har vært død i nesten syv måneder».
Dulcetius: «Hvem er
far til ditt ufødte barn?»
Eutychia: «Han som
Gud ga meg til ektemann».
Dulcetius: «Jeg
råder deg, Eutychia, til å slutte med dette tøyset og begynne å tenke på
fornuftig vis. Hva sier du, vil du adlyde det keiserlige ediktet?»
Eutychia: «Nei, for
jeg er en kristen og tjener den allmektige Gud».
Dulcetius: «Eutychia
er høygravid, la henne holdes i fengsel. Agape, hva er beslutning? Vil du gjøre
som oss, som er lydige og pliktoppfyllende overfor keiserne?»
Agape: «Det er ikke
rett å lyde Satan. Min sjel skal ikke beseires av disse utredningene».
Dulcetius: «Og du,
Chionia, hva er ditt endelige svar?»
Chionia: «Ingenting
kan endre min mening».
Dulcetius: «Har dere
noen bøker, papirer eller andre skrifter som tilhører religionen til de
ugudelige kristne?»
Chionia: «Vi har
ingen. keiserne som nå styrer, har tatt dem fra oss».
Dulcetius: «Hvor har
dere lært slike merkelige ideer fra?»
Chionia: «Fra den
allmektige Gud».
Dulcetius: «Hvem
narret dere til å omfavne denne dårskapen?»
Chionia: «Den
allmektige Gud og hans eneste Sønn, Vår Herre Jesus Kristus».
Dulcetius: «Dere er
alle forpliktet til å adlyde våre mektigste keisere og medkeisere. Men fordi
dere så lenge på det frekkeste har foraktet deres rettferdige forbud, og så
mange edikter, advarsler og trusler, og har hatt den dristighet og grovhet å
forakte våre ordrer og beholde det ugudelige navnet kristne, og siden dere helt
til nå ikke har adlydt offiserene som inntrengende anmodet dere om å avsverge
Jesus Kristus skriftlig, skal dere motta den straffen dere fortjener:
Jeg dømmer Agape og
Chionia til å brennes levende, fordi de av ondskap og stahet har handlet i
strid med de guddommelige edikter fra våre herrer keiserne og medkeiserne, og
som nå bekjenner de kristnes grove og falske religion, som alle fromme personer
avskyr. Når det gjelder de andre fire, la dem fengsles så lenge det behager
meg».
Dermed ble Chionia og
Agape dømt til å brennes levende, mens Irene på grunn av sin ungdom ble dømt
til fengsel. Myndighetene håpet kanskje på at søstrenes død ville få Irene til
å gi etter. Etter at Chionia og Agape var henrettet, ble huset deres ransaket
og de ulovlige bøkene funnet. Irene ble forhørt igjen:
Dulcetius: «Din
galskap er åpenbar, siden du helt til nå har beholdt så mange bøker,
pergamenter og papirer med skriftene til de ugudelige kristne. Du ble tvunget
til å anerkjenne dem da de ble lagt foran deg, selv om du tidligere benektet at
du hadde noen. Du vil ikke ta noen advarsel fra dine søstres straff, og du har
heller ingen frykt for døden, og din straff er derfor uunngåelig. I mellomtiden
avslår jeg ikke selv nå å være overbærende. Til tross for din forbrytelse kan
du finne nåde og bli befridd fra straff, hvis du nå vil tilbe gudene. Hva sier
du til det? Vil du adlyde keisernes ordrer? Er du klar til å ofre til gudene og
spise av offeret?»
Irene: «Overhode
ikke, for de som avsverger Jesus Kristus, Guds Sønn, er dømt til evig ild».
Dulcetius: «Hvem
overtalte deg til å skjule disse bøkene og papirene så lenge?»
Irene: «Den
allmektige Gud, som har påbudt oss å elske Ham selv til døden. Derfor våger vi
ikke å forråde Ham, men vil heller velge å brennes levende, eller å lide hva
som helst fremfor å avsløre slike skrifter».
Dulcetius: «Hvem
visste at de skriftene var i huset?»
Irene: «Ingen andre
enn den Allmektige, som intet er skjult for, for vi skjulte dem selv for våre
tjenere slik at de ikke skulle forråde oss».
Under utspørringen
fortalte Irene ham at da keiserens dekret mot de kristne ble publisert, flyktet
hun og andre til fjellene uten farens viten. Hun unngikk å implisere dem som
hadde hjulpet dem, og hun erklærte at ingen utenom dem visste at de hadde
bøkene.
Dulcetius: «Hvor var
dere i skjul i fjor da det fromme ediktet til våre keisere ført ble publisert?»
Irene: «Hvor det
behaget Gud, i fjellene».
Dulcetius: «Hvem
bodde dere sammen med?»
Irene: Vi bodde
under åpen himmel, noen ganger på ett fjell, andre ganger på et annet».
Dulcetius: «Hvem
forsynte dere med brød?»
Irene: «Gud, som gir
mat til alt levende».
Dulcetius: «Var
deres far kjent med det?»
Irene: «Nei, han
hadde ikke det minste kjennskap til det».
Dulcetius: «Hvilke
av deres naboer visste det?»
Irene: «Spør i
nabolaget og forta dine undersøkelser».
Dulcetius: «Etter at
dere vendte tilbake fra fjellene, som du sa, leste dere disse bøkene for noen?»
Irene: «De ble
skjult i vårt eget hus, og vi våget ikke å ta dem frem, og vi var svært
ulykkelige over å ikke kunne lese dem til alle døgnets tider, slik vi var vant
til».
Dulcetius: «Dine
søstre har allerede fått den straff de ble dømt til. Når det gjelder deg,
Irene, selv om du ble dømt til døden før din flukt for å ha gjemt disse bøkene,
vil jeg ikke at du skal dø så brått, Men jeg gir ordre om at du skal stilles ut
naken i soldatenes bordell og få ett brød hver dag som skal sendes deg fra
palasset. Vaktene skal passe på at du ikke kommer ut et eneste øyeblikk, ellers
blir de henrettet».
Med dette hadde
guvernøren dømt Irene til livsvarig fengsel. Men i bordellet var det ingen som
turde å nærme seg henne, så der ble hun ikke skadet. Så etter å ha fått en
siste sjanse til å angre og delta i ofringene, ble hun dømt til døden og
henrettet, muligens ved å bli brent levende, men mer trolig ved å bli skutt i
nakken med piler. De hellige bøkene ble også brent offentlig. Det er ikke kjent
hva som hendte med de fire andre som ble stilt for retten sammen med søstrene,
hvorav en kvinne fikk sin sak utsatt fordi hun ventet barn.
Søstrene ble henrettet i
år 304. Deres minnedag er 1. april, som i følge en versjon er Irenes dødsdag,
men 3. og 5. april nevnes også – det oppgis da at Irene døde den 5. april, mens
de andre døde to dager før. I den syriske kirken minnes søstrene den 2. april,
mens 16. april oppgis som ortodoks minnedag. Den greske teksten til de
autentiske aktene ble oppdaget i 1902. I Thessaloniki fantes det tidligere en
kirke til de tre søstrenes ære.
Det er en viss tvil om
Irenes navn skal tas med eller ikke, siden hun ikke æres i den greske kirken,
og i det nye Martyrologium Romanum (2001) er Irenes navn utelatt.
Kilder:
Attwater/John, Attwater/Cumming, Farmer, Butler (IV), Benedictines, Delaney,
Bunson, Kaas, Eilertsen, Schauber/Schindler, Dammer/Adam, KIR, CSO, Patron
Saints SQPN, Infocatho, Heiligenlexikon, santiebeati.it - Kompilasjon og
oversettelse: p. Per Einar Odden -
Sist oppdatert: 2006-07-14 22:34
Linken er kopiert til
utklippstavlen!
SOURCE : https://www.katolsk.no/biografier/historisk/iragchi
Agape von Thessaloniki
Gedenktag katholisch: 1. April
in Aquileia: 5. April 3. April
Gedenktag orthodox: 16.
April
Gedenktag armenisch: 3.
April
Gedenktag koptisch: 3.
April
Gedenktag
äthiopisch-orthodox: 3. April
Gedenktag
syrisch-orthodox: 3. April, 16. April
Gedenktag assyrisch: 2.
April
Name bedeutet: die
Liebende (griech.)
Märtyrerin
* in Aquileia in Italien
† 304 in Thessaloniki in
Griechenland
Agape und ihre
Schwestern Chionina und Irene waren
drei Schwestern aus Aquileia.
Sie stammten aus einer nichtchristlichen Familie, stießen aber in ihrer Jugend
auf den christlichen Glauben, besorgten sich Schriften und die Bibel und
bekannten sich zu dem neuen Glauben. Während der Verfolgung
unter den römischen Kaisern Diokletian und Maximian verlangte man von
ihnen, dem Glauben abzuschwören. Aber sie weigerten sich, wurden verfolgt,
gefangen, nach Thessaloniki verschleppt
und zum Tod verurteilt, den man vollzog, indem man sie mit Pfeilen beschoss und
dann auf dem Scheiterhaufen verbrannte. Protokollakten aus diesem Prozess sind
überliefert.
Neben den historischen Prozessakten in griechischer Sprache gibt es eine lateinische, rein legendarische Leidensgeschichte, die in die Akten der Anastasia von Rom eingefügt ist. Eine den Geschwistern geweihte Kirche stand vor der Stadtmauer von Thessaloniki, sie existiert nicht mehr. Reliquien von Agape und Chionina liegen in der Kirche San Martino ai Monti in Rom.Die Ausgrabungen der römischen Agora in Thessaloniki sind täglich außer dienstags von 8 Uhr bis 16 Uhr geöffnet, der Eintritt beträgt 4 €. (2019)
Die Kirche San
Martino ai Monti in Rom ist täglich von 8 Uhr bis 12 Uhr und von 16
Uhr bis 19 Uhr geöffnet. (2017)
Unterstützung
für das Ökumenische Heiligenlexikon
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Samuel
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Quellen:
• Jakob Torsy: Der große Namenstagskalender, hg. von Hans-Joachim Kracht. Herder, Freiburg 1998
• Friedrich-Wilhelm Bautz. In: Friedrich-Wilhelm Bautz (Hg.): Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon, Bd. I, Hamm 1990
• Lexikon für Theologie und Kirche, begr. von Michael Buchberger. Hrsg. von
Walter Kasper, 3., völlig neu bearb. Aufl., Bd. 1. Herder, Freiburg im Breisgau
1993
korrekt zitieren: Joachim Schäfer: Artikel Agape von Thessaloniki, aus dem Ökumenischen Heiligenlexikon - https://www.heiligenlexikon.de/BiographienA/Agape_von_Thessalonike.htm, abgerufen am 24. 9. 2025
Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek verzeichnet das Ökumenische
Heiligenlexikon in der Deutschen Nationalbibliografie; detaillierte
bibliografische Daten sind im Internet über https://d-nb.info/1175439177 und https://d-nb.info/969828497 abrufbar.
SOURCE : https://www.heiligenlexikon.de/BiographienA/Agape_von_Thessalonike.htm
Irene von Thessaloniki
griechischer Name: Irini
- Ειρήνη
Gedenktag katholisch: 5.
April
Gedenktag orthodox: 3.
April, 16. April
Gedenktag armenisch: 3.
April
Gedenktag koptisch: 3.
April
Gedenktag
äthiopisch-orthodox: 3. April
Gedenktag
syrisch-orthodox: 3. April, 4. April
Gedenktag assyrisch: 2.
April
Name bedeutet: die
Friedliche (griech.)
Jungfrau, Märtyrerin
* in Aquileia in Italien
† 304 in Thessaloniki in
Griechenland
Irene und ihre
Schwestern Agape und Chionia waren
drei Schwestern aus Aquileia.
Sie stammten aus einer nichtchristlichen Familie, stießen aber in ihrer Jugend
auf den christlichen Glauben, besorgten sich Schriften und die Bibel und bekannten
sich zu dem neuen Glauben. Während der Verfolgung
unter den Kaisern Diokletian und Maximian verlangte man von ihnen, dem
Glauben abzuschwören. Aber sie weigerten sich, wurden verfolgt, gefangen,
nach Thessaloniki verschleppt
und zum Tod verurteilt, den man vollzog, indem man sie mit Pfeilen beschoss und
dann auf dem Scheiterhaufen verbrannte. Protokollakten aus diesem Prozess sind
überliefert.
Nach der Legende wurde
Irene vom Richter ein härteres Urteil zugedacht: sie wurde in ein Bordell
gesteckt, als sich aber keiner an sie herantraute, wurde schließlich auch sie
verbrannt.
Neben den historischen
Prozessakten in griechischer Sprache gibt es eine lateinische, rein
legendarische Leidensgeschichte, die in die Akten der Anastasia von
Rom eingefügt ist. Eine den Geschwistern geweihte Kirche stand vor der
Stadtmauer von Thessaloniki,
sie existiert nicht mehr. In Konstantinopel - dem heutigen Ístanbul -
gab es fünf der Irene geweihte Kirchen, darunter die von Markianos erbaute
und am 20. Januar geweihte. Reliquien finden
sich auch in der
ihr geweihten Kirche in Lecce in Italien.
Patronin gegen Blitz
und Feuergefahr
Die Ausgrabungen der
römischen Agora in
Thessaloniki sind täglich außer dienstags von 8 Uhr bis 16 Uhr geöffnet, der
Eintritt beträgt 4 €. (2019)
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Schonath
Xena
John Knox
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Autor: Joachim
Schäfer - zuletzt aktualisiert am 03.04.2021
Quellen:
• Vera Schauber, Hanns Michael Schindler: Heilige und Patrone im Jahreslauf. Pattloch, München 2001
• Hiltgard L. Keller: Reclams Lexikon der Heiligen und der biblischen Gestalten. Reclam, Ditzingen 1984
• Klaus-Gunther Wesseling. In: Friedrich-Wilhelm Bautz (Hg.):
Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon, Bd. II, Hamm 1990
korrekt zitieren: Joachim Schäfer: Artikel Irene von Thessaloniki, aus dem Ökumenischen Heiligenlexikon - https://www.heiligenlexikon.de/BiographienI/Irene_von_Thessaloniki.htm, abgerufen am 24. 9. 2025
Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek verzeichnet das Ökumenische
Heiligenlexikon in der Deutschen Nationalbibliografie; detaillierte
bibliografische Daten sind im Internet über https://d-nb.info/1175439177 und https://d-nb.info/969828497 abrufbar.
SOURCE : https://www.heiligenlexikon.de/BiographienI/Irene_von_Thessaloniki.htm
Chionina von Thessalonike
Gedenktag katholisch: 1. April
3. April in Aquileia: 5. April
Gedenktag orthodox: 16.
April
Gedenktag armenisch: 3.
April
Gedenktag koptisch: 3.
April
Gedenktag
äthiopisch-orthodox: 3. April
Gedenktag
syrisch-orthodox: 3. April, 16. April
Gedenktag assyrisch: 2.
April
Name bedeutet: die
Schneeweiße (griech.)
Märtyrerin
*in Aquileia in Italien
† 304 in Thessaloniki in
Griechenland
Chionina und ihre
Schwestern Agape und Irene waren
drei Schwestern aus Aquileia.
Sie stammten aus einer nichtchristlichen Familie, stießen aber in ihrer Jugend
auf den christlichen Glauben, besorgten sich Schriften und die Bibel und
bekannten sich zu dem neuen Glauben. Während der Verfolgung
unter den römischen Kaisern Diokletian und Maximian verlangte man von
ihnen, dem Glauben abzuschwören. Aber sie weigerten sich, wurden verfolgt,
gefangen, nach Thessaloniki verschleppt
und zum Tod verurteilt, den man vollzog, indem man sie mit Pfeilen beschoss und
dann auf dem Scheiterhaufen verbrannte. Protokollakten aus diesem Prozess sind
überliefert.
Neben den historischen
Prozessakten in griechischer Sprache gibt es eine lateinische, rein
legendarische Leidensgeschichte, die in die Akten der Anastasia von
Rom eingefügt ist. Eine den Geschwistern geweihte Kirche stand vor der
Stadtmauer von Thessaloniki,
sie existiert nicht mehr. Reliquien von
Chionina und Agape liegen
in der Kirche San
Martino ai Monti in Rom.
Die Ausgrabungen der römischen Agora in Thessaloniki sind täglich außer dienstags von 8 Uhr bis 16 Uhr geöffnet, der Eintritt beträgt 4 €. (2019)
Die Kirche San
Martino ai Monti in Rom ist täglich von 8 Uhr bis 12 Uhr und von 16
Uhr bis 19 Uhr geöffnet. (2017)
Artikel
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Autor: Joachim
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Quellen:
• Friedrich-Wilhelm Bautz. In: Friedrich-Wilhelm Bautz (Hg.):
Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon, Bd. I, Hamm 1990
korrekt zitieren: Joachim Schäfer: Artikel Chionina von Thessalonike, aus dem Ökumenischen Heiligenlexikon - https://www.heiligenlexikon.de/BiographienC/Chionina_von_Thessalonike.htm, abgerufen am 24. 9. 2025
Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek verzeichnet das Ökumenische
Heiligenlexikon in der Deutschen Nationalbibliografie; detaillierte
bibliografische Daten sind im Internet über https://d-nb.info/1175439177 und https://d-nb.info/969828497 abrufbar.
SOURCE : https://www.heiligenlexikon.de/BiographienC/Chionina_von_Thessalonike.htm
Agapè van Thessalonica,
Griekenland; martelares met Chionia (ook
wel Quionia) & Irene, alsmede Casia, Filippa & Eutychia en
tenslotte de martelaar Agathon: †
304.
Feest 1
& 3 & 5 (vooral Irene) april; in de oosterse kerk ook
nog op 16 (vooral Chionia) april & 22 december.
Keizer Diocletianus (286-308)
had verordonneerd, dat niemand heilige boeken van de christelijke godsdienst
verborgen mocht houden. Maar de vrouwen over wie het hier gaat, hadden dat
juist wel gedaan. Bovendien hadden zij zich schuldig gemaakt aan het
afschrijven van zulke boeken. Ze werden betrapt en gegrepen, en voorgeleid voor
de landvoogd, Dulcetius.
Nauwelijks was deze op
zijn rechterstoel gezeten of de openbare aanklager Artemesius opende de zitting
als volgt:
"Indien u, edelachtbare, mij toestaat, wil ik hier het verslag voorlezen van de inspecteur betreffende de beklaagden, hier tegenwoordig."
Dulcetius knikte instemmend. De openbare aanklager las:
"Cassander aan Dulcetius, de landvoogd van Macedonië: heil! Ik zend uwe hoogwaardigheid zes vrouwen en één man. Het zijn christenen. Op die grond weigeren ze het offervlees van onze goden te eten. De vrouwen zijn Agapè, Chionia, Irene, Casia, Filippa en Eutychia; de man die erbij is, heet Agathon."
Agapè, Chionia en Irene waren zusters. Ze woonden te Thessalonica. Op het moment van hun arrestatie en martelgang waren hun ouders nog steeds de heidense godsdienst toegedaan.
Zodra de landvoogd de beschuldiging had vernomen, keerde hij zich tot de vrouwen: "Zijn jullie werkelijk zo opstandig en rampzalig bezig, dat je regelrecht tegen het gebod van de caesar en de keizer ingaat? En u daar - aldus richtte hij zich tot Agathon - waarom weigert u het offervlees te eten van onze goden; dat doet toch iedereen?"
"Omdat ik christen ben" was het eenvoudige antwoord.
"En u dan - vroeg hij aan Agapè - wat zijn uw gevoelens hieromtrent?"
"Ik geloof in de levende God - was haar antwoord - en ik zou niet graag alles wat ik tot nu toe heb opgebouwd, in één klap weer teniet willen doen."
Nu wendde hij zich tot Chionia: "En wat hebt ú daarop te zeggen?"
"Wat ik te zeggen heb? Dat ik geloof in de levende God, en daarom kan ik
de keizer niet gehoorzamen."
"En waarom hebt ú zich niet willen voegen naar de bevelen van de caesars
en de keizer?" vroeg hij aan Irene.
"Omdat ik dan vrees God te beledigen."
"En u, Casia, wat is úw antwoord?"
"Ik wil mijn leven redden."
"Maar dan zou u juist deel moeten nemen aan onze offermaaltijden."
"God beware me voor zulk een misdaad!"
"En u Filippa, denkt u er net zo over als deze anderen?"
"Inderdaad; ik sterf liever dan ook maar een vinger naar uw offergaven uit te steken."
"Eutychia, bent u al even onverstandig als de anderen hier?"
"Ik denk er precies hetzelfde over; ook ik heb er mijn leven voor over, als ik daarmee kan vermijden te doen wat u van me vraagt."
Omdat zij zwanger was, werd zij in afwachting van de geboorte van haar kind voorlopig terug in de gevangenis gezet en verzorgd.
Opnieuw ondervroeg Dulcetius Agapè: "Weet u zeker, dat u het voorbeeld van alle staatsburgers niet zou willen volgen en gewoon de keizers gehoorzamen?"
"Ik zou de duivel niet willen gehoorzamen; dat zal u dus zeker ook niet lukken."
"En u, Chionia, wat is uw antwoord?"
"Ik blijf bij mijn gevoelen van daarnet."
En Dulcetius hernam: "Maar u hebt toch wel degelijk van die goddeloze christenboeken en -geschriften?"
"Nee, die hebben wij niet meer, want op bevel van de keizers zijn ze ons allemaal afgenomen."
"Maar wat ter wereld heeft u er nu precies toe gebracht om zich aan deze dromerijen over te geven?"
"Het is de heilige leer van de levende God en zijn Zoon, Jezus Christus, onze Heer; daar hebben wij aan te gehoorzamen."
"U hebt te gehoorzamen aan de besluiten van de caesars en de keizers. Maar ondanks de vele bedreigingen en herhaalde bevelen onzerzijds blijft u volharden in uw ongehoorzaamheid. Zelfs de aanmaningen van de hoogst denkbare ambtenaren zijn niet in staat gebleken om u tot andere gedachten te brengen. U bleef er een eer in stellen om die gehate naam van christenen te dragen. Vandaar dat ik mij genoodzaakt zie u te veroordelen tot de straffen die voor deze misdrijven staan."
De man las hun nu de veroordelingen voor: "Gelet op de hardnekkigheid,
waarmee Agapè en Chionia vasthouden aan de godsdienst der christenen, welke
toch uitdrukkelijk door de religieuze staatsambtenaren wordt verboden, en gelet
op het negeren van de goddelijke bevelen van onze keizers en caesars,
veroordelen wij hen tot levende verbranding. Agathon, Casia, Filippa en Irene
zullen tot nader order in de gevangenis moeten blijven."
Agapè en Chionia werden aldus terechtgesteld.
Enige tijd later liet Dulcetius Irene voor zich verschijnen en sprak tot haar: "Uw dwaasheid is afdoende bewezen. Bij u zijn een hele stapel boeken, geschriften en pamfletten in beslag genomen die over de leer der christenen handelen, dat laagste mensensoort dat denkbaar is. Toen u daarmee werd geconfronteerd, kon u niets anders meer doen dan toegeven, hoewel u nog altijd ontkende ze in bewaring te hebben gehouden. Opvallend, dat u niet toeschietelijker bent geworden na de straf die uw zusters hebben moeten ondergaan; dat zal dan toch straks ook uw lot zijn...? Wilt u dan zo graag dood? Maar ik heb clementie met u. U hoeft niets anders te doen dan onze goden te aanbidden; daarmee zal al het andere vergeven en vergeten zijn. Dus voor de laatste keer: bent u bereid te doen wat de keizers en caesars gebieden? Bent u bereid te offeren?"
Irene antwoordde: "Beslist niet. U zou toch ook niet willen, dat ik de straf van het ééuwig vuur zou moeten ondergaan? Dat is de straf voor wie Gods Zoon verloochenen."
"Maar wie heeft u dan overgehaald om die boeken zo lang te verbergen?"
"De almachtige God. Hij is het trouwens ook, die ons zegt, dat wij Hem meer moeten liefhebben dan ons leven. Nu begrijpt u meteen waarom wij ons liever laten verbranden dan zijn geschriften aanbrengen; dan zouden wij immers zijn zaak verraden."
"Er zullen dus ook wel anderen geweest zijn, die van die geheime geschriften op de hoogte waren?"
"Niemand wist het. God alleen, want voor Hem blijft niets verborgen. We hadden zelfs ons huispersoneel er niets van verteld, omdat we bang waren, dat ze ons zouden aanbrengen."
"En toen vorig jaar het bevel van de keizer werd uitgevaardigd; waar hebt u zich toen verborgen gehouden?"
"Waar God ons bracht: in de bergen."
"Hoe kwam u aan uw eten?"
"De hemelse Vader weet wat wij nodig hebben."
"Wist uw gewone vader hiervan?"
"Neen, hij wist nergens van."
"Maar er zullen toch wel kennissen of vrienden geweest zijn die ervan op
de hoogte waren?"
"Als u wilt, kunt er een onderzoek naar instellen."
"Toen kwam u terug uit de bergen: wie waren erbij, als u die boeken las?" [In die tijd immers las men hardop; zachtjes voor zichzelf lezen bestond niet of nauwelijks].
"Wij moesten ze zorgvuldig verborgen houden. We durfden ze zelfs niet van de ene plek naar de andere te brengen. U kunt zich dus voorstellen hoe verdrietig wij waren, dat we geen mogelijkheid zagen om overdag of 's nachts ook maar een regel uit onze boeken te lezen. Want dat hadden wij tot aan dat rampzalige besluit van de keizer steeds gedaan."
"Uw zusters hebben hun straf ontvangen. Eigenlijk verdiende u eenzelfde straf. Maar ik heb iets anders bedacht. U zult in een bordeel geheel naakt te kijk worden gezet; u zult geen ander voedsel ontvangen dan wat men u uit het paleis zal brengen; u zult constant door soldaten worden bewaakt die erop moeten toezien, dat u geen moment van uw plaats wegloopt."
Gedurende deze straf liet God niet toe, dat iemand haar ook maar met een vinger aanraakte. Zij kon haar reinheid ongerept bewaren.
Voor de derde maal liet de landvoogd haar roepen: "Blijft u nog altijd volharden in uw hardnekkigheid en ongehoorzaamheid?"
"Wat u hardnekkigheid noemt, noem ik eerbied voor God. Ik blijf dus bij mijn gevoelen."
"Dan moet u maar de straf ondergaan die u verdient."
Nu liet Dulcetius een schrijftablet halen en schreef daarop: "Daar Irene
geweigerd heeft aan de keizers te gehoorzamen en de goden te offeren, en daar
zij blijft vasthouden aan de sekte der christenen, bevelen wij, dat zij -
evenals haar zusters - levend moet worden verbrand."
En zo geschiedde.
[ 100» Irene» praetermissi; 104» Irene; 106; » Irene; 107; 115a; 127; 141»
04.03:Irene; 141» 04.05» Martelaren-Thessaloniki; 149/2p:14-17; 04.03; 252»
Irene; 277p:307; 500; Dries van den Akker s.j./1999.07.02]
© A. van den Akker
s.j. / A.W. Gerritsen
SOURCE : https://heiligen-3s.nl/heiligen/04/03/04-03-0304-agape.php
Santas Ágape y Quionia.
En Tesalónica de Macedonia (en la actual Grecia), estas santas vírgenes y
mártires, durante la persecución del emperador Diocleciano, el año 304, por no
querer comer carne sacrificada a los ídolos, fueron entregadas al prefecto
Dulcecio, quien las condenó a ser quemadas vivas.
SOURCE : https://www.franciscanos.org/agnofranciscano/m04/dia0401.html
Santas ÁGAPE y QUIONIA.
M. 304.
Ágape: Caridad. Amor
en común. Banquete.
Quionia: Pureza.
Martirologio
Romano: En Tesalónica, de Macedonia, santa Ágape y santa Quionia, vírgenes
y mártires, que en la persecución bajo el emperador Diocleciano, por no querer
comer carne sacrificada a los ídolos fueron entregadas al prefecto Dulcecio,
que las condenó a ser quemadas vivas.
Ágape vivía en Tesalónica con sus hermanas: Quionia e Irene. Sus nombres: Ágape = Caridad; Quionia = Pureza e Irene = Paz, nos hacen reflexionar sobre una leyenda. El emperador Diocleciano (otros autores dicen que fue el emperador Maximino) ordenó confiscar todos los bienes de la Iglesia y la destrucción de los libros sagrados; las tres hermanas fueron encontradas en posesión de los libros sagrados.
Consignar se dice en latín "traditio" con lo cual las hermanas no
traicionaron. Cuando el prefecto Dulcecio les preguntó de quién habían
aprendido ideas tan extrañas, Quionia respondió: "De nuestro Señor
Jesucristo". A Ágape durante el juicio, quisieron que comiera carne
sacrificada a los ídolos, y ella se negó rotundamente: "Creo en el Dios
viviente, y no perderé por una acción malvada todos los méritos de mi vida
pasada". Murieron en la hoguera en Tesalónica. Mientras tanto Dulcecio
supo que Irene tenía libros cristianos y no los había consignado como decía la
ley. La interrogó de nuevo y ella dijo que cuando se había publicado el decreto
del emperador contra los cristianos con otros muchos huyó a las montañas. Evitó
involucrar a las personas que la habían ayudado y declaro que nadie excepto
ellos sabían que tenían los libros: "temíamos más a nuestra gente que a
otro cualquiera".
Irene, murió dos días más
tarde, después de que fuera expuesta en un burdel y los libros sagrados fueron
quemado públicamente. Sus "Actas" son auténticas. Junto a ellas
también fueron interrogados: santos Agatón, Casia, Felipa y Eutiquia,
que sufrieron la cárcel, pero estos nombres fueron añadidos después y
probablemente no hayan existido.
SOURCE : https://hagiopedia.blogspot.com/2013/04/santas-agape-y-quionia-m-304.html
