All Orthodox believers celebrate the Day of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia on September 30. On this day, people congratulate each other on the three main virtues on earth and remember the great sacrifice of these saints.
Once a year, Orthodox believers recall the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia. They lived in the second century in the Roman Empire and professed Christianity. Because they did not worship pagan gods, the king who ruled at that time subjected the daughters of Sofia to terrible torture, and then executed him, cutting off their heads. Mothers had to watch the torment of their little daughters. Unable to survive such grief, she died three days after their execution.
For a great sacrifice, Faith, Hope, Love, who were only 12, 10 and 9 years old at the time of the execution, and their mother Sophia were counted as Christian saints. And their names began to embody the main virtues that exist on earth - faith in God, hope for the best and God's help, as well as love without foundation and self-interest for every living creature. Sophia, translated from Greek, means "wise" and personifies God's wisdom on earth.
This holiday has been celebrated by Orthodox Christians for many centuries. In ancient Russia, the Day of the Holy Martyrs of Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia was also called "All-around Indian name-days." And this holiday began with a woman crying - in every house, village women shed tears over their miserable fate, mourned for dead or unclean relatives, ungrateful husbands or a hard life.
Today, on this holiday, it is customary to recall the great sacrifice of the Holy Martyrs. People congratulate their loved ones on the faith, hope and love that exist on earth, as well as those women who were named after these Holy Martyrs.
Orthodox believers go to a church on September 30, where a prayer service is held in the early morning in honor of the Holy Martyrs Vera, Nadezhda, Lyubov and their mother Sophia, and they light candles in memory of them. Temples on this day are decorated with flowers and look very festive.
