Commemorated on September 17
They all lived and suffered in Rome during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. Sophia was wise, as her name implies. She was left a widow, and had established herself and her three daughters well in the Christian faith.
When the persecuting hand of Hadrian extended even over the virtuous home of Sophia, Vera was only twelve years old; Nada, ten years old; and Lyubov, nine years old. Brought before the emperor, these four held each other’s hands “like a woven wreath,” humbly but steadfastly confessed their faith in Christ the Lord and refused to offer sacrifices to the pagan idol Artemis.
Before their suffering, the mother encouraged her daughters to endure to the end: “Your heavenly Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, is eternal health, inexpressible beauty and eternal life. When your bodies are slain by torture, He will clothe you in incorruption and the wounds on your bodies will shine in the heaven and stars.”
One by one the torturers inflicted cruel torments, first on Vera, then on Nada, and then on Lyubov. They beat them, slashed them, cast them into fire and boiling pitch, and finally beheaded them with the sword one after another.
Sophia took the dead bodies of her daughters the town and honorably buried them. She remained at their grave for three days and three nights praying to God. Then she gave her spirit to the Lord, flying off to Paradise , where the blessed souls of her glorious daughters awaited her.
Troparion & Kontakion
Troparion — Tone 4
The Church celebrates and rejoices / in the feast of the three daughters: Faith, Hope, and Love / and their Mother Sophia, named for her wisdom: / For in them she gave birth to the three godly virtues. / Now they eternally behold their bridegroom, God the Word. / Let us rejoice spiritually in their memory and cry: / O our three Heavenly Protectors, / establish, confirm and strengthen us / in Faith, Hope and Love.
Troparion — Tone 5
You blossomed in the courts of the Lord / as a fruitful olive tree, / holy martyr Sophia; / in your contest you offered to Christ the sweet fruit of your womb, / your daughters Faith, Hope, and Love. / Together with them intercede for us all.
Kontakion — Tone 1
The holy branches of noble Sophia, / Faith, Hope, and Love, / confounded Greek sophistry through Grace. / They struggled and won the victory / and have been granted an incorruptible crown by Christ the Master of all.