St. Irene was born in the end of the I century Mygdonia.It was a time when Christians were persecuted and painfully dying for their faith.Future preacher of Christianity was the daughter of a Thracian ruler Mygdonia - Licinius.At first she was a Gentile, like her parents.But she later adopted Christianity, for which he suffered at the beginning of the II century.Martyr Irina is the patroness of missionaries.Now her turn in prayer to strengthen faith in the persecution, the temptation.
Signs of Christ
Holy Great Martyr Irene before baptism bore the name that was given to her parents - Penelope.Historical reports said that the girl was different unearthly beauty.The father doted on her child.When Penelope was 6 years old, he had built for her magnificent chateau.There she lived with her teacher, whose name was Kariya and girls.Girl in no need: every whim fulfilled her servant ruler.Every day the teacher came to Penelope - Elder Apelian.He taught for a Woman diverse sciences.In addition, Apelian was a Christian (secret).He told his pupil about the Christian virtues and teachings of Christ.
When Penelope knocked 12 years old, his father decided to marry her.That's when the girl's room flew 3 birds in its beak which was an interesting burden.The first bird was a dove.He left on the table Penelope olive branch.The second bird - an eagle - gave the girl with flower wreath in the crows left in her chambers a little snake.Penelope was very surprised to find such "surprises".But her teacher, Apelian, immediately realized the significance of these signs.He explained that the dove represented the virtue of Penelope by which it will receive God's grace in baptism.For this creator of her crown in their kingdom wreath of glory.And the raven, brought Penelope the snake foretold her persecutions and afflictions that will test the girl for the love of Christ.
adoption of Christianity
Once the room was Penelope 3 birds, Apelian clarify the meaning of these signs, the girl asked her father seven days for reflection.During this time, she had to choose a husband.But rather than to reflect on the future of family life and the choice of husband, Penelope decided to be baptized.Apostle and his disciple Timothy, Paul held the sacred rite of baptism.She converted to Christianity and changed his name.Now, her name was Irina.After a while she publicly called himself a Christian.Licinius - Penelope's father - was enraged such behavior and ordered his daughter to throw her under the hooves of horses running wild.However, neither the horse did not cause harm to the girl.On the contrary, one of the horses trampled her father.However, St. Irene loved Licinius, so began to pray for him.Soon her father was raised.After this event, Licinius, and all his great men believe in Christ.All of them are to be baptized as Christians.Licinius left post and the ruling and his wife moved to the palace of his daughter, to serve God.
Torment of St. Irene
After the baptism of the Holy Irina moved to the house of his teacher Apeliana.There it every day praying to the Lord, read the scriptures and observe a strict fast.Happy girl never tasted food in the evening allow yourself some bread and water.Irina slept too little;bed for her was the usual floor or ground.So Saint Irenaeus held in Mygdonia 3 years.During this time she suffered persecution because of the changing of the rulers of the city.Almost every ruler tried to get Irene to worship pagan gods.But she was firm.Then Zedekiah threw it into the ditch, which was filled with poisonous snakes, and left there for 10 days.But the snake did not bite St. Irene, and the angel of God supported her while she was in the ditch.Seeing this, Zedekiah ordered to saw the girl saw, but it blunted the edge when the tray saw Irina.And it did not stop a formidable ruler.He ordered the girl to tie a mill wheel.But then the Lord saved the life of his lady: a mill wheel water is not flowing.Thousands of people, seeing such wonders renounced paganism and accepted Christianity.And when Zedekiah once again expressed their outrage, residents stoned him with stones.In place of the cruel ruler came to his son - Sawah.He decided to avenge his father and gathered a huge army against citizens.But the holy great martyr Irina read a prayer, and the army Sawah with his ruler blinded.After the incident Sawah began to apologize to the girl, praying for healing.Generous Irina forgave him, restored his sight.But Sawah broke his promise and subjected to torture another girl.This time, he ordered her to drive nails in his feet, shoulders a heavy bag of sand to live in such a way to lead the city.During the hard way angels accompanied and supported by Irina.And Sawah, surprisingly residents Mygdonia, died suddenly.
Miracles of Christ
During his stay in Mygdonia Saint Irenaeus preached the Christian faith and wrought miracles.Through prayer she healed the sick, chased away the demons and cleanse the lepers.And once she had created a real miracle: raise the dead young man, whose parents mourned.Later, Irina moved from Mygdonia in Calliope, then - in Mesembria.In every city of Thrace, where there was Irina, she preached Christianity.But there has not been without pain.City rulers aggressively treated to the teachings of Christ and his follower.They tried to burn the girl on a hot grill.But the Lord saves his chosen from death.The greatest miracle by Saint Irene happened in the city Messemvria.The ruler of the city - Prince Savor - ordered to cut off the girl's head.And his orders executed.And after the holy martyr was buried outside the city.But God willed that Irina continued to preach Christianity, so it raised.Almighty ordered his follower to return to Mesembria.City residents could not believe his eyes: in front of them was Irina who died.After the incident, the prince Savory and his people believed in the Lord God, Christ, was baptized.So seriously great martyr Irina had to accustom people to the true faith.
Last Days of St. Irene St. Irene
Macedonian died in the city of Ephesus.She foresaw his demise.A few days before the death of Irina, along with their teacher, elder Apelianom, he went out of the city, in one of the mountain caves.Going back to Irina ordered his companions to close the entrance to the cave with a heavy stone.There she died in prayer.It happened on May 5th.On the 4th day of the cave came to Christians to take the body of St. Irene.But when they took away the stone, and saw that no one was there.People have realized that the girl's body was taken to heaven by God.During his stay in Ephesus, a follower of Christ did not cease to preach Christianity.Thanks to her, many people believed in God and was baptized.Incidentally, in Ephesus she was moved from Mygdonia on a cloud.Some sources said that Saint Irenaeus preached the Gospel among the Slavic people, and in Thessalonica was burned.
Churches in Constantinople in memory of Christ's followers built several beautiful temples.The Pokrovsky (Moscow, Russia) can find the temple of St. Irene.St. Martyr chapel was built in 1635 to the parish church of St. Nikolai the Miracle Worker.In the years 1790-1792 the church was built, which has chapels of the holy martyrs Irene Catherine.The temple is popularly became known as "Pokrovsky Irina-Martyr."In 1891 the church was rebuilt and greatly expanded.During the revolution of 1917 the church was closed, and the building partially destroyed.And only in 1992 the construction of the Holy Church returned.Now, the temple is the only one in Moscow, consecrated in honor of St. Irene.Now it is a rich life.When the church opened a Sunday school, where he teaches theology created a library, computer labs, a film library.But not this famous Intercession Church of St. Irene and excellent incense, which is called "Irinin."Here the father was able to create a laboratory, where he studied the ancient recipes of fragrant compositions.Aroma "Irinin" incense simply mesmerizing parishioners.The church in honor of St. Irene can be found in Volgovyat (40 km from St. Petersburg).The village is small, as, indeed, and the church itself.Now Volgovyat works on its reconstruction and restoration.In the future it is planned to open a museum of Orthodox culture, artifacts and materials that have collected enough.
Church of St. Irene in Istanbul
But the magnificent church of St. Irene in Istanbul (Turkey).However, it is not devoted to Irina Macedonian and Martyr Sofia and Irina Egypt.It is not only the most ancient and beautiful temple of the city, but also a business card of a large metropolis.Byzantine church is located in the heart of Istanbul - Sultanahmet.The church was erected in the IV century on the site of an ancient temple of Aphrodite.Initially, the building was considered the main holy Church of Constantinople.In 532, the church was burned and rebuilt in 548 under Emperor Justinian.In 740, the church of St. Irene hit hard by the quake.In 1453 Constantinople was conquered by the Ottomans, but the church decided not to alter the mosque.From the XVI to the XVIII century Byzantine church was used for storing weapons, and in 1846 it was turned into the Archaeological Museum.In 1869 the temple was transformed into the Imperial Museum, and in 1908 - in the military.Today Byzantine church functions as a concert hall due to its impressive size and excellent acoustics.In 2000, Farouk Saras - known Turkish designer - where he organized a demonstration model, which is dedicated to the history of the Ottoman Empire.Istanbul Church of St. Irene unique in that it remained virtually unchanged.On his coming to see thousands of visitors, a large percentage of whom are Christians.
What makes St. Irene
Over the years, the missionary work of the Holy Martyr Irina was able to draw in more than 10,000 Christians of the Gentiles.Some of them included not only ordinary people but also the rulers of different cities.The icon of St. Irene Macedonian is almost every Orthodox church.By requesting it to ask for health, vitality, happiness and confidence.Memory of the holy Great Martyr Irene celebrated May 5th (the day of her death).New Style - 18 May.In honor of the icon of St. Irene manor was built in Moscow, which later got Naryshkin.Many patron saint Irina.What helps it?Holy Great Martyr protects against all kinds of adversity.Prayer of St. Irene helps to strengthen family relationships.Holy helps gain confidence and achieve success in their careers.
icon of St. Irene Egypt
first Christian missionaries have been the hard way.St. Irene Egypt along with other followers of Christ carrying the good news of the Egyptian people.She preached the Christian faith and miracles.Many Egyptians in those days were baptized and believed in the true God.However, the preaching of St. Irene sounded briefly.In one of the Egyptian cities it was seized along with another missionary - Saint Sophia.After many tortures the girls were beheaded.Years passed, and only during the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great, the relics of St. Sophia and Irene were transferred to Constantinople.Later, in the Byzantine Empire in honor of martyrs temple was built.The icon of St. Irene of Egypt helps a person throughout his life.Holy Great Martyr stands up for people in their grief, thank God for the joy sent down.Prayer of St. Irene Egypt keeps from harm, trouble, helps to avoid sinful acts.Patron saint protects people from evil and disease.For all Orthodox people before God to pray the holy martyr Irina.Icon it is a great value for the person.Priests have recommended it to house those who patronize it.Orthodox celebration in honor of St. Irene of Egypt celebrated September 18 (new style - October 1).
value named Irina
Translated from the ancient Greek name means "peace, peace."A girl named Irina has qualities such as independence, mobility, commitment, strength, vitality.Irina Name "bestowed" the owner of her analytical mind and a great sense of humor.In adult life, Irina devotes much time career.Often, they become excellent managers through a combination of internal balance, judgment and sense of humor.Irina - good diplomats and psychologists.They are well and are able to feel the interlocutor "to tune into his wave."As a rule, girls named Irina are not limited to the household.They prefer to combine career and family.
Orthodox name day, Irina
- October 1 - a holiday in memory of St. Irene of Egypt.On the same day - a celebration of Mother of God "Healer", which helps seriously ill.
- May 18 - the feast in memory of the Holy Great Martyr Irene Macedonian.On the same day - a celebration of Mother of God "The Inexhaustible Cup", which heals alcoholism, drug addiction.
