"Since Thou hast given us the miracles of Thy holy Martyrs as an invincible battlement, by their entreaties scatter the counsels of the heathen, O Christ our God, and strengthen the faith of Orthodox Christians, since Thou alone art good and the Friend of man" (Apolytikion)

These three sisters were disciples of the Great Martyr Anastasia and came from the vicinity of Aquileia. When Emperor Diocletian was staying in Aquileia he ordered that these young Christians be brought before him. The emperor urged them to renounce their Christian faith and worship the idols, but they all refused and confessed their steadfast faith in Christ. Irene said to the emperor: "How stupid it is to worship things made of stone and wood, which were ordered for an agreed price and made by the hands of a mortal man." The enraged emperor cast them into prison. When he departed for Macedonia, all slaves and prisoners were taken with him, including Agape, Chionia and Irene. The emperor turned them over to the provincial governor, Dulcitius, for torturing. However, when he approached them, he immediately lost his mind and was unable to carry out the cruel plan. One Sisinius was then put in charge of their case. After prolonged torture, the first two sisters were condemned to death by burning; he detained Irene for a while longer, hoping to defile her. But when he sent Irene to the brothel with the soldiers, an angel of God saved her by removing her to a faraway hill. The next day, the commander and his soldiers went to the hill and were unable to climb it. He then ordered that Irene be shot with arrows. After Irene's death, St. Anastasia gathered the bodies of these three holy sisters into one place and honorably buried them. They suffered and died for Christ in 295 A.D.

Making it real: The story of Sts. Agape, Chionia and Irene is a "must hear" for your teens, because they were teens themselves when they stood up for Christ--and lost their lives for Him. You are never too young to do something powerful in life! They gave all for Christ; what can we give? How can we be martyrs for Christ each day? For a start, we can give up--or "martyr"--time for our Lord by making it to Liturgy, learning about our faith, helping a friend in need, and participating in outreach at HMOG and beyond. This is how we can thank our Lord for his powerful passion, death and glorious Resurrection!