My sister's name is Ira. Like most modern girls, when she was little, she went to church with her mother, and when she grew up, she began to study and work, and forgot about spiritual matters. But in vain! To get her interested in Orthodoxy, I began to study the biography of my sister’s “personal saint” and retell it to my sister. The life of Irina Makedonskaya is really worth a separate discussion. And the icon of the saint, which has been in our house for many years, is not just considered a strong helper from many troubles.
Story
As the book about the “Lives of the Saints” tells, Saint Irene, being the daughter of Licinius, the ruler of Thrace, from an early age did not feel the need for anything. At birth she was given the name Penelope. The father sought to protect the girl, who had amazing beauty, from worldly evil and temptations. Therefore, he built a secluded palace for her. Elder Apelian was assigned to Penelope as a mentor, who taught her not only the sciences, but also instilled in her the love of God.
One day, an amazing event happened to Penelope. Three birds flew into her house: a dove with an olive branch clutched in its beak, an eagle with a crown of thorns, and a raven with a snake in its clawed paw. The girl turned to the elder to explain the meaning of this phenomenon. To which he answered her:
- A dove with an olive branch carries God's blessing for devoting life to the service of God.
- An eagle with a crown of thorns is a symbol of exaltation and the well-deserved kingdom of heaven.
- The raven and the snake are like a path crowned with adversity and suffering that Penelope has to go through while preaching faith in God.
After this wonderful omen, Penelope realized her destiny. And when her father started talking about marriage, she resolutely refused. Penelope said that from now on she would devote her life to worship, becoming the bride of Christ. The Apostle Timothy conducted the ceremony of initiation of Penelope into the Christian faith, and named her Irina.
For her insolence and disobedience, the angry father ordered Irina to be torn to pieces under the hooves of horses. But to his surprise, the horses refused to harm her, but, on the contrary, attacked Licinius and trampled him to death. Inconsolable Irina began to pray to God for forgiveness for her father. And the Almighty, hearing her, resurrected Licinius. People who observed this event believed in God and adopted Christianity. And along with them, Irina’s father and mother.
This was just the beginning of the Great Martyr’s misfortunes and suffering. Licinius left his post, and a new ruler was appointed in his place - Zedekiah. Having heard about the beautiful Irina, who carried the word of God among the pagans, he ordered her to be taken to the palace. Zedekiah told her to renounce her faith. But Irina was adamant in her love for God.
Then he gave instructions to torture Irina to death. The Great Martyr was thrown into a den with snakes, but they did not dare to touch her. She spent several days in a pit and was under the protection of God all the time. Then the tormentors tried to saw St. Irene’s body into pieces. But the saws broke one after another, only slightly grazing her flesh. People who saw this converted to Christianity in their thousands. And the cruel Zedekiah was sent into eternal exile.
And Saint Irene began her journey through the cities, bringing faith in God, and she converted the pagans to Christianity. At the end of her life, she entered a cave on a high mountain, asking her followers to close the entrance with a stone. When the disciples moved the stone away a few days later, they found no one in the cave. This sign was perceived as the ascension of the Holy Great Martyr Irene.
THIS DAY IN CHURCH HISTORY:
2020:
17th Thursday after Pentecost
Troparion of the Exaltation
, voice 1:
Save, O Lord, Thy people/ and bless Thy inheritance,/ granting victories against resistance// and preserving Thy residence through Thy Cross.
Kontakion of the Exaltation
, voice 4:
Having ascended to the Cross by will,/ grant to your namesake new residence/ your bounty, O Christ God,/ make us glad with your power,/ giving us victories for our companions,/ benefit to those who have your weapon of peace,// invincible victory.
Troparion to the Apostles
(Thursday), voice 3:
Holy apostles,/ pray to the Merciful God,/ that forgiveness of sins// will grant to our souls.
Kontakion to the Apostles
(Thursday), voice 2:
Firm and divine preachers,/ Thou didst accept Thy apostles, O Lord, into the enjoyment of Thy good things and peace:/ Thou didst accept sickness and death more than all fruitfulness,// Alone, the knowledgeable one of the heart.
Troparion to Saint Nicholas
(Thursday), voice 4:
The rule of faith and the image of meekness, / teacher abstinence / show you to your flock / Even the things of Truth. / For this reason, you have acquired high humility, / rich in poverty, / Father Hierarch Nicholas, / pray to Christ God, / to save our souls.
Kontakion to Saint Nicholas
(Thursday), voice 3:
In Mireh, the Holy One, you appeared as a priest,/ For Christ, O Reverend, having fulfilled the Gospel,/ you laid down your soul for your people/ and saved the innocent from death./ For this reason you were sanctified,// like the great hidden place of God’s grace.
— 1880 years
from the time of the departure to the Lord
of Ariadne of Promis (Phrygian)
, martyr (+ II century) [+ 140 year]*.
Troparion to the Martyr Ariadne of Promis
, voice 4:
Your Lamb, Jesus, Ariadne, calls with a great voice:/ I love You, my Bridegroom,/ and seeking You, I suffer/ and I am crucified and buried in Your Baptism,/ and I suffer for Your sake, for I reign in You,/ and I die for You , yes, and I live with You,/ but as an immaculate sacrifice, accept me, sacrificed to You with love.// Through your prayers, as You are Merciful, save our souls.
Kontakion to the Martyr Ariadne of Promis
, voice 2:
Your all-honorable temple, as if you have found spiritual healing, / all the faithful cry out loudly to you: / the great martyr Ariadne, / / Pray to Christ God unceasingly for all of us.
— 360 years
from the time of the departure to the Lord
of Bidzina of Ksani
, prince, martyr (+ about 1660) [+ 1660]*.
- 360 years
from the time of the departure to the Lord
of Shalva of Ksani
, prince, martyr (+ about 1660) [+ 1660]*.
- 360 years
from the time of the departure to the Lord
of Elizbar of Xani
, prince, martyr (+ about 1660) [+ 1660]*.
Troparion to the Martyrs of Xani
, voice 4:
Thy martyrs, O Lord, Bidzino, Shalvo and Elizbare,/ in their suffering received incorruptible crowns from Thee, our God,/ having Thy strength,/ overthrew the tormentors,/ crushed the demons of weak insolence./ With those prayers// save our souls.
Kontakion to the Martyrs of Ksani
, voice 2:
Lamps of light have appeared, / the divine martyrs Bidzino, Shalvo and Elizbare, / illuminating all creation with the light of miracles, / resolving ailments and always driving away deep darkness, / constantly praying to Christ God for all of us.
FROM THE CHRONICLES OF ORTHODOXY:
25 years
ago (1995):
* At the boarding house for labor veterans No. 6 in Yasenevo (Moscow), a house church was consecrated. * Pavel Khondzinsky was ordained to the rank of deacon (later archpriest, clergyman of the Church of St. Nicholas of Myra in Kuznetskaya Sloboda (Moscow). * The first nuns settled in the Intercession Stavropegial Convent of Moscow. * Gennady Okhotnikov ordained to the rank of deacon (later archpriest, rector of the Church of the Nativity in village of Kochkurovo (Mordovia). * Priest Dimitry Solovyov was appointed full-time cleric of the Makariyev-Unzhensky convent in the city of Makaryev, Kostroma region (later cleric of the Church of the Nativity in the city of Makaryev). * Alexander Smirnov was ordained to the rank of deacon (later priest, rector in the churches of Sverdlovsk region).
(To the top of the page)
Our time requires from us continuous prayers: Home Theology SEPTEMBER
18 (October 01):
18:00
Evening rule 1. Preparation for the upcoming Sunday communion: reading the Canon to John the Baptist.
21:00
Evening rule 2. * Psalm (psalm 131). * Old Testament readings: The third book of Moses. Leviticus, chapter 1.
24:00
Midnight Office. * Revelation of St. John the Theologian: chapter 6.
03:00
Prayers as needed.
06:00
Matins (Six Psalms) and the first hour. Hour one: troparia and kontakion to the Apostles and St. Nicholas (see above).
09:00
Hour three: troparion and kontakion of the Exaltation (see above). * Reading the Apostle (Acts of the Holy Apostles, chapter 16). * Reading the Gospel (Holy Gospel from Luke, chapter 10).
12:00
Hour six: troparion and kontakion to Ariadne of Promis (see above).
15:00
Ninth hour: troparion and kontakion to the martyrs of Ksani (see above).
Note: between the hours there is a constant internal Jesus prayer.
(Back to top of page)
What do they pray to Saint Irene for?
- The clergy pray to Saint Irene for the gift of the art of preaching and bringing God’s word to the people.
- Unhealthy people ask for patience to endure all the torments associated with illness and disease, to relieve pain and suffering.
- They ask Saint Irene for a successful career and the gift of decent work.
- The Holy Prayer will protect and protect the entire family from evil and the machinations of ill-wishers.
- The Holy Great Martyr Irina through prayer helps to regain lost faith in God.
- Unmarried girls ask for a happy marriage and the birth of healthy children.
- The saint patronizes all those who bear the name Irina.
The most revered icon in our country
Irina is depicted on it at the age at which she became a Christian - at 19 years old. In one hand she holds a cross, showing it to us, and presses the other to her chest, proving the truth of her life choice and that it was made sincerely.
Memorial Day of this saint: May 18 (or May 5, old style).
Also held in high esteem is the icon on which the Saint is depicted in all the beauty of her soul, in the greatness of her faith:
What do they pray to Irene the Great?
- About peace, love, well-being in the family.
- About health (your own and your loved ones). People who suffer severe pain (for example, after surgery) especially often turn to her, because the martyr also endured many trials in her time, but did not break.
- About fortitude, confidence in one’s own abilities or one’s business.
- Priests often turn to her for help, asking Irina to grant them eloquence.
- Irina is also an intercessor for people who move to a new place of residence (especially to a new city) or change jobs.
- Well, if you yourself bear this name, you can pray to the Great Martyr Irina for everything that hurts in your soul.
Akathist to the Holy Great Martyr Irene
Kontakion 1
Chosen by God from an idolatrous race for the enlightenment of tongues, God-wise and most glorious bride of Christ Irina, let us sing a song of thanksgiving and praise to your prayer books, holy and long-suffering Great Martyr Irino. But you, who have boldness towards the Lord, free us from all troubles and sorrows, and let us call to you: Rejoice, Irino, glorious bride of Christ.
Ikos 1
You have preserved your angelic honest and all-loving purity, the holy martyr Irino, immaculately, with the Angels you have been vouchsafed to sing the thrice-holy hymn to God in heaven, hear us singing faithfully to you on earth: Rejoice, O maiden, ordained by God the Father to be conformed in suffering to the image of His Son; Rejoice, called by the Son of God from darkness into the blessed light. Rejoice, for having received the Holy Spirit in adolescence, you rejected idolatry; Rejoice, you did not desire an earthly betrothed more than the heavenly nobility. Rejoice, you who made your garments white in the blood of Lambs on earth; Rejoice, in the Heavenly Chertosis you reign in Heaven with Christ; Rejoice, Irino, glorious bride of Christ.
Kontakion 2
Seeing, the holy martyr Irene was placed on a majestic pillar by the Father, thinking to herself, thinking about the Providence of God, about the creative creation of heaven and earth and soulless idols, in her mind ascending from darkness to light, from idolatry to the true God, to Him faithfully they sing: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
You were the receptacle of God's Wisdom, an immaculate maiden, from youth out of love for the world and rejected everything in the world. You loved Christ the Bridegroom with all your soul, and you served Him equally to the apostles, preaching to them the True God among the infidels. For this reason, marveling at your reason, we say: Rejoice, all-wise Virgin of the Gospel, filled with the right faith and good deeds; Rejoice, more intelligent than the wise men of this world. Rejoice, blessed lips of the apostles for preaching the faith; Rejoice, decoration of Christian virgins. Rejoice, you who drive away demons with the weapon of the Cross of Christ; Rejoice, prayer book faithful to the Lord for our salvation. Rejoice, Irino, glorious bride of Christ.
Kontakion 3
The power of God was given to you, holy Great Martyr Irino, in holy Baptism, when Presbyter Timothy, having enlightened you, gave you the message of the holy apostles, thereby calling you to great apostolic service. But you, filled with the Spirit of Wisdom, before the face of the king, your father Licinius, you fearlessly crushed all the golden idols and, as the servant of the Lord, you confessed the one Orthodox faith in God the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, calling to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having, Saint Irino, the wisdom and power given to you from above, you were often urged by Licinius, your father, to worship an idol, calling you Penelopeia, but you told him: “Do not pervert my name, I am Irina, called an Angel in a vision, and so named in Holy Baptism. I do not worship the demons whom you worship, but I worship the One God, my Creator, and I love my Bridegroom.” For such boldness, accept this praise from us: Rejoice, pillar of faith, confirmation of Christian life; Rejoice, child, enlightened by God in holy Baptism. Rejoice, O eagle of the Heavenly King, bestowed by God for the enlightenment of languages; Rejoice, in the land of Your Father's reign of idolatry, the exterminator. Rejoice, for your long-suffering feat was foreshadowed by a dove, a kokosh and a corvid, bringing you an olive tree, a crown and a serpent; Rejoice, as the teacher Apelian predicted to you: the olive is your good character, the crown is the crown of glory, and the serpent is your enemy, says suffering. Rejoice, Irino, glorious bride of Christ.
Kontakion 4
The enemy of the soul of salvation raised storms of grave temptations against you, when your father ordered you to be executed, damaging the fierce horses for mockery and destruction. But when you prayed, the fiercest horse, giving up, tore off Licinius’s hand and trampled him. With a human voice I called you a glorious martyr. You were unharmed and raised your father in the name of Christ the Son of God. He and the multitude of people believed and praised God: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Hearing from you, the evil king Zedekiah, wise words about the faith of Christ, he burst into anger at you; Moreover, when she always told him: “I will not sit with the vain multitude and I will not go in with lawbreakers; I am ready for all kinds of torture and will not spare my flesh for Christ my Lord.” And throw you into the depths of the ditch, where the reptiles are poisonous. And there you remained for ten days unharmed with the Angel who guarded you. Seeing all this miracles you have worked, you cry out: Rejoice, young passion-bearer, who suffered much for her courageous confession of faith; Rejoice, meek lamb, vain flattery of idols, accuser. Rejoice, for the evil enemy has been put to shame by you, seeing himself defeated; Rejoice, for all the heavenly powers rejoice in you, seeing you conquer the fierce tormentors. Rejoice, through your exploits you brought many blasphemous rulers to God; Rejoice, long-suffering daughter of the unmerciful King Licinius. Rejoice, Irino, glorious bride of Christ.
Kontakion 5
You, the Great Martyr Irino, were like a God-bright star, leading many tribes and languages to salvation. You enlightened three idolatrous countries with dioceses and minions. You endured severe suffering from the tormentors Zedekiah and Shebaha, you were sawed through with an iron saw three times and crushed on a mill wheel. O great martyr! The elements of heaven, thunder and lightning, could not bear your suffering and struck down the wicked. The people believed, glorifying God with trembling and singing to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
King Sheba saw that the power of God, working miracles in you, overcomes and puts to shame his insane commands, having enlisted one hundred thousand soldiers against Mageddon, the city where you prayed to the Lord about defeating those who were coming with blindness, and after they were blinded, you again begged the Almighty to grant them sight. We are filled with this joy, we say to you: Rejoice, Saint Irino, for through you the light of Christ has risen in pagan countries; Rejoice, wondrous admonition for godless kings and warriors. Rejoice, glorious defense of the city of Mageddon; Rejoice, confession of the Orthodox faith and the radiance of the Gospel. Rejoice, faithful guardian of the law of God; Rejoice, long-suffering Bride of God, who was burned many times by the cruel Zedekiah. Rejoice, Irino, glorious bride of Christ.
Kontakion 6
You were jealous of the preacher of the God-bearing apostle, before the tormentors you fearlessly preached Christ God, for whose sake you endured a grievous wound, bonds and prison; You were burned at the stake in the copper caves, but the Angel of the Lord preserved you for the glory of God, and we cry out to Almighty God: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
The light of God's understanding, the light of the Lord Jesus Christ, has shone in your hearts. He, like your beloved Bridegroom, strengthened you as a suffering participant in His suffering, when they drove sharp nails into your heels and bridled you like a donkey, forcibly leading you through five races, but in your terrible suffering, praying to God, you enlightened thousands of people, and the open earth opened up the lawless tormentors. swallowed up, we cry out to you: Rejoice, Irino, servant of the Lord and our prayer book; Rejoice, meek dove, who bore ulcers for the Lord’s sake. Rejoice, healed by an angel from wounds bleeding from cloves; Rejoice, for the Lord has given you the strength and wisdom to overcome those who oppose the truth. Rejoice, for through you those who repent are healed from many wounds and illnesses; Rejoice, for through your prayer demons are driven away and lepers are cleansed. Rejoice, Irino, glorious bride of Christ.
Kontakion 7
The insane tormentor, Saint Irino, wanted to bend you to idolatry, exhorting you to devour the sacrifice with an idol, but you, protecting yourself with the Cross, exclaimed: “I offer sacrifice to the Most High God, Who possesses the life and death of all people. Come to your senses, O king, you who have been deceived by Satan!” The enraged tormentor, gnashing his teeth, ordered to fire you three times in the copper caves, but the Angel of the Lord, having cooled the flame, preserved you harmlessly for the glory of those glorifying God with the song: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
The evil Vavadon showed a new rage of inhumanity, when he commanded you, holy martyr Irino, to be tied with iron chains to a red-hot glass, to pour oil and resin on you. But you, God’s sufferer, were in a burning flame, with the Angel who separated you from the Reshota and cooled you, glorified God. Amazed by such a miracle, the tormentor fell at your feet, asking for forgiveness and holy prayers for the entire country that had turned to the Lord. We appeal to you with love: Rejoice, long-suffering martyr, who endured much for the Church of Christ; Rejoice, holy maiden, burning for Christ’s sake in the caves and at the stake. Rejoice, for the salvation of people on the hot fire! Rejoice, great passion-bearer, grievously tormented for Christ's sake. Rejoice, for through your suffering you led many people to the recognition of the true God; Rejoice, conqueror of the Church's enemies and quick helper in our troubles. Rejoice, Irino, glorious bride of Christ.
Kontakion 8
Having seen the strange and terrible sufferings of the holy martyr, I was truly amazed at how the young girl, existing in a young body, courageously endures torment for Christ, and we, too, filled with tenderness, gratefully cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
All the sweetest Jesus was sweetness to you, martyr Irino, but you endured bitter torment and severe torture for Christ and the salvation of people from seven tormentations, and like a lamb from the wicked Savaria you were beheaded with a sword and buried, and after that you rose from the dead with a branch of paradise in her hands, and in Mesemvria she appeared to the king to admonish and shame the blasphemers. With fear, the murdering king fell at your feet, crying out: “Great is the Christian God.” Enlighten us too, Saint Irino, and let us call to you: Rejoice, Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Irino, enlightener of pagan countries; Rejoice, full of the grace of God. Rejoice, God-beloved gusset, called out from among the inhabitants of heaven to save the blasphemous and outcast; Rejoice, glorious martyr, who enlightened many who were against God. Rejoice, for by the power of God you have abolished the demonstration of deceit; Rejoice, blessed passion-bearer, who received a branch of paradise from Christ. Rejoice, Irino, glorious bride of Christ.
Kontakion 9
All the heavenly powers rejoiced, praising God, who gave you such courage and unshakable firmness to defeat the soul-destroying asps in the battle. For you, strengthened by the power of God, enlightening the tongues of thousands, rejoiced, singing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
Vet's multiplying rhetorical tongues will not be able to utter your painful sufferings and martyrdoms, which you endured for Christ. Who can exhaust your countless sufferings, which tremble us as we sing to you: Rejoice, miraculous spectacle of Angel and man; Rejoice, for with your patience you surprised the tormentors. Rejoice, you shed your blood for Christ your Bridegroom; Rejoice, praise to the disciples and joy to the faithful. Rejoice, fruitful vine of the garden of Jesus; Rejoice, fruitful branch of the vine of Christ. Rejoice, Irino, glorious bride of Christ.
Kontakion 10
Having desired to save souls perishing in the darkness of idolatry, the God-loving martyr Irino, zealous for the Lord, like Elijah, by the power of God you crushed idols, drove away demons, denounced and put to shame the tormentors. She constantly sang the victory song to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
You have remained a strong and unshakable wall in your confession of the Orthodox faith; You did not spare your sweet blooming youth, you despised all the royal property of your father. She desired, through martyrdom, to be married to Christ and to be with Him in Angels and Ikostoyanie. We, remembering your exploits and sufferings, please you: Rejoice, you who ended your martyr’s path well; Rejoice, having served the Lord with your life equal to the apostles. Rejoice, girded with power from above to fight against the enemy; Rejoice, strong intercession of faithful Christians. Rejoice, helpless intercessor, patroness of orphans; Rejoice, joy to the martyrs, glory to the virgins. Rejoice, Irino, glorious bride of Christ.
Kontakion 11
Our minds are perplexed by our singing of praise for the heritage of chanting, holy martyr Irino, for you imitated the crucified Lamb - Christ. You laid down your soul for your friends, for there is no one to have greater love than this. Both of us, thank all beings, sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
You appear as a luminous lamp of the true light to those on earth, God’s chosen maiden, enlightening the hearts of the faithful, healing the sick and lepers who come to you with love, giving health to the weakened and born blind, thanking you like this: Rejoice, strong intercessor for the salvation of sinners; Rejoice, intercessor of the offended, combatant of the wicked. Rejoice, vessel of heavenly blessings; Rejoice, golden censer, bringing incense to God in prayer for us. Rejoice, inexhaustible treasure of God's gifts; Rejoice, for the Lord has given you His Kingdom. Rejoice, Irino, glorious bride of Christ.
Kontakion 12
Grace has been given to you, as an apostle, to broadcast the word of God to the sinful world, to turn away those darkened by idolatry and to help everyone in their earthly labors. O illustrious servant of the Lord, who has labored much for the Christian race, pray for us to the All-Merciful God, our Savior, that He may grant us in this and in the future to glorify God in the Trinity: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
We sing of your glorious deeds, we honor your suffering, we praise your patience, we bless your holy death, we glorify your invincible courage in your weak body, with which you trampled all the wisdom of this world. In memory of your exploits and sufferings, receive from us a song of praise: Rejoice, brought into the heavenly chamber from the virgin faces; Rejoice, escorted from the martyr regiments to the crown of glory with a voice of joy. Rejoice, you who received the most wonderful kiss from the inhabitants of heaven in the Lord; Rejoice, for your reward is eternal joy in the lordship of the saints. Rejoice, for through you we hope to be saved from unexpected death; Rejoice, through your intercession the Kingdom of God has been granted tea. Rejoice, Irino, glorious bride of Christ.
Kontakion 13
O most glorious and all-praiseworthy saint, Great Martyr Irino! Accept from us this little song of praise and do not stop praying for us to the Lord God, that he will deliver us from enemies visible and invisible and through your intercession will make us worthy of the eternal Kingdom, where, together with you and all the saints, we may sing to God: Alleluia.
(This Kontakion is read three times, then Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1)
How does the icon of St. Irene help?
Irina was beautiful and kind, but she also had extraordinary resilience and unshakable faith. Her life occurred at the very beginning of Christianity, when persecution was cruel and merciless, and pagan beliefs prevailed everywhere. Therefore, the icon of the Great Martyr Saint Irene is used to strengthen faith in oneself and in the Lord. Prayer to a saint helps you find the right path and make important decisions.
The patroness of the city is Saint Irene, whose name day is celebrated on May 18. However, you should not think that only people with the name Irina can turn to her icon. Saints help, protect and protect every person. Since the saint endured many torments and sufferings that were not intended for the fate of a woman, and devoted her entire life to serving the Lord and continuing His teaching, you should turn to her with humility and pure thoughts. The icon of the Great Martyr Irina will help you find significant things - family happiness, prosperity and self-confidence. The saint is asked to save her from adversity and conflicts.
