The Akathist to the Martyrs Faith, Hope, Charity and their Mother Sophia is a prayer read in memory of three sister martyrs who were executed for their faith in the 3rd century. Their lives and deaths serve as an example of fidelity to Christian values and a testament to God’s love.
Кондак 1
We offer you hymns of praise, O chosen servants of the Lord Almighty, Vero, Nadezhda, and Lyubov, and the wise mother Sophia, who have been endowed with boldness towards Christ God. May you intercede for us, that we may be delivered from sin and sorrow, and may we sing to you with gratitude:
Rejoice, Vero, Nadezhda, and Lyubov, together with your wise mother Sophia.
Икос 1
The angels in heaven rejoiced at your virtuous life, which you led in the reading of the divine Scriptures, in toil, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, with your mother Sophia constantly teaching you, that you might be living images of the three theological virtues, which are named after you. We, marveling at the wisdom of your mother and your perfect prudence, offer you hymns of praise:
Rejoice, harmonious sisters, who are named after the three virtues; rejoice, who, in obedience to your wise mother, have entered the stage of perfection.
Rejoice, like the three branches of the paradise tree, which have grown in the wicked city of Rome;
Rejoice, Sophia, who have given your daughters names that reflect the virtues, and have taught them to fulfill them in deed.
Rejoice, Vero, who, by faith, help us to see the invisible, as the visible;
Rejoice, who are clothed in incorruption.
Rejoice, Nadezhda, who, by hope, alleviate our sufferings in sorrow and point us towards the heavenly kingdom;
Rejoice, who have inherited the Kingdom of Heaven.
Rejoice, Lyubov, who, by divine love, reveal to us the blessedness of eternal life;
Rejoice, who are clothed in the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, Sophia, who are the wisdom, the wise daughter who has educated your daughters;
Rejoice, who establish us in the virtues of faith, hope, and love.
Rejoice, Vero, Nadezhda, and Lyubov, together with your wise mother Sophia.
Кондак 2
When wise Sophia saw her servants, she called them to the emperor Adrian, and, having learned of the purpose of their summons, she stood with her children in prayer, asking for the help of God. After prayer, they were seized by the hand, as if bound by a wreath, and went together, singing to Christ God:
Alleluia
Икос 2
You had a clear understanding, holy ones, when you were brought into the imperial palace, when you stood before Emperor Adrian with a radiant face, shining eyes, and a courageous heart. The emperor, seeing your chaste countenances, was not intimidated, and, having learned of Sophia’s wisdom, he postponed his judgment and sent you to a noblewoman, where you stayed for three days, with your wise mother Sophia teaching you divine words day and night. We, praising you, offer these hymns:
Rejoice, three chaste virgins of Christ, who have gathered the wreath of virtues within yourselves; rejoice, three virtuous sisters, who have shown firm faith, unwavering hope, and genuine love towards the Lord God.
Rejoice, who, not sparing your beauty and youth, have preferred the beauty of Christ above that of human sons;
Rejoice, Sophia, who have lovingly guided your children towards the martyrdom for Christ.
Rejoice, Vero, who have confessed your faith in Christ through martyrdom;
Rejoice, your sisters, who have strengthened their faith.
Rejoice, Nadezhda, who have placed your hope in Christ;
Rejoice, your sisters, who have strengthened their hope.
Rejoice, Lyubov, who have shown your love for Christ through suffering;
Rejoice, your sisters, who have been guarded by the fire of love.
Rejoice, Sophia, who By the divine power, the martyrs were anointed, manifesting their virtues through their deeds in the arena, singing to God: Alleluia Having within themselves the holy pillar of faith, the wings of hope, and the flame of love, they listened to the words of their mother with sweetness, united in patience, and joyfully proceeding, desiring the noble martyrdom for Christ’s sake. To Him, we bow down, venerating you with fervent prayers: Rejoice, for you have not sorrowed over the loss of this temporal life, but have rejoiced for eternal life; rejoice, for you have surrendered your flesh to sufferings for Christ’s honor. Rejoice, three precious vessels of faith, hope, and love, offered to God as a gift; rejoice, Sophia, for you have desired with all your heart that your daughters may inherit the Kingdom of God, out of love for them. Rejoice, Vero, illuminating our souls with faith; rejoice, lifting us up to a quiet haven. Rejoice, Nadezhdo, reviving our hearts with the sweetness of hope; rejoice, rescuing us from the depths of despair. Rejoice, Lyuba, transforming our sufferings and sorrows into joy; rejoice, softening our hardened hearts with compassion. Rejoice, Sophia, guiding us to good with wisdom; rejoice, enlightening the darkened eyes of our souls. Rejoice, Vero, Nadezhdo, and Lyuba, together with Sophia, your wise mother. The storm of the tyrant’s wrath assails you, holy Vero, but does not shake you. For who can stir up the unshakeable faith, the adamant-strong faith, which has taught the faithful to pray to God with you: Alleluia When the wise mother heard her daughters boldly confessing Christ before the king and saying, “We desire to suffer and endure harsh torments for the sweet Jesus Christ,” she rejoiced greatly and prayed to God to strengthen her in the impending sufferings. Therefore, we praise this desire of the wise mother, and thus we shall sing of her firstborn daughter: Rejoice, Vero, who have received the sweet Jesus with unyielding love; rejoice, whose breasts have been cut off, like two vessels of purity, offered as a sacrifice to the Lord. Rejoice, for from your wound, milk flows instead of blood; rejoice, for you were placed on red-hot iron. Rejoice, for you were cast into boiling water, but were not scorched, nor harmed; rejoice, for you have quenched the flame of our passions with heavenly coolness. Rejoice, for you have extinguished the fire of our sufferings with healing; rejoice, for you have signified faith in the midst of tribulations. Rejoice, for you have shielded us with the shield of faith in battle with the enemy; rejoice, for you have bowed your chaste head for the Head of the Church, Christ God. Rejoice, for you have been revealed as a rose, dyed with your blood, as a bride of the Unblemished Bridegroom; rejoice, for you have arrived at the desired haven and have seen the beloved Savior and Lord. Rejoice, Vero, Nadezhdo, and Lyuba, together with Sophia, your wise mother. Like the blessed stars, O Faith, Hope, and Charity, you have been steadfast in your devotion to the one eternal and unutterable Life and Beauty, Jesus Christ, hastening to your death for Him and to partake in the divine vision of His glory, singing to Him: Alleluia Beholding the blessed sisters who suffered for Christ, you, O Holy Faith, rejoiced and wished to lay down your own life for Him. The ruler, however, began to test the holy Hope, and seeing her united in spirit with her sister, he led her to sufferings, but she was not overcome. We, therefore, praise and glorify the holy Hope, who, by her wise counsel, has not lost the hope in the Lord: Rejoice, O Hope, who was brutally beaten, yet did not lose the hope in the Lord; Rejoice, O Hope, who patiently endured your sufferings in silence. Rejoice, O Hope, who gives us strong endurance; Rejoice, O Hope, who, like a burning coal in the fiery furnace, sent up praise to God. Rejoice, O Hope, who teaches us to praise God in our sufferings; Rejoice, O Hope, who was beaten with iron chains. Rejoice, O Hope, who illuminates us, who are in sorrow, with the rays of hope; Rejoice, O Hope, from whom a sweet fragrance arose from your wounds. Rejoice, O Hope, who unshakeably preserved the hope in the Lord Jesus; Rejoice, O Hope, who destroyed despair and helplessness in our hearts. Rejoice, O Hope, who joyfully accepted the martyrdom for Christ; Rejoice, O Hope, who, like a radiant dawn, reveals to us the eternal peace. Rejoice, O Faith, Hope, and Charity, together with your wise Mother Sophia. You, O holy sisters, were like prophets and apostles, proclaiming the virtues of faith, hope, and love in the Lord, the Ruler of all, singing to Him: Alleluia You, O holy Charity, shone like the sun, for who could stand like you for the beloved Lord, as it is written: “Love is stronger than death, and many waters cannot quench love, and rivers cannot overflow it.” We beseech you, O holy Charity, who burns with the fire of love for the Lord, to revive our hardened and withered hearts, to kindle in us the light of love, that we may love the Lord and all our neighbors, and we praise you thus: Rejoice, O Charity, for your love for Christ has not been quenched by many worldly delights; Rejoice, O Charity, who, rejecting all the caresses and gifts of the king, laid down your soul for the Lord. Rejoice, O Charity, for your love for Christ has not been overwhelmed by rivers of suffering; Rejoice, O Charity, who was stretched on the wheel, beaten with whips, and thrown into the fiery furnace. Rejoice, O Charity, who was strengthened by the power of God in your fierce sufferings; Rejoice, O Charity, who, by your blood, shed for the Lord, has kindled love in our cold hearts. Rejoice, O Charity, who has shown us that love, for the sake of love, all sufferings are sweet; Rejoice, O Charity, who has shown us that divine love leads to eternal life. Rejoice, O Charity, who has convinced us that divine love is the revelation of immortality; Rejoice, O Charity, for no torment could separate you from the love of Christ. Rejoice, O Charity, who, like an apostle, preached in your sufferings that no sorrow, no Although we long to be separated from the body and to be with Christ, O holy virgins, when you were led to the sword of martyrdom, you embraced each other and your mother Sophia, teaching us by your fraternal love to sing together to God: Alleluia The Lord showed a new wonder when He sent His aid to those who suffered for the confession of His name, even to young maidens: strengthened and exalted by faith, hope, and love, they nobly completed their own struggles. We, who have lived in unity and harmony with those who persevered to the end, beseech you to grant us unity in the performance of good deeds, magnifying you with heartfelt praise: Rejoice, O Faith, Hope, and Love, who, having gone forth on the same path of sufferings to the gates of heaven, rejoice; rejoice, having entered the resplendent bridal chamber of your beloved Bridegroom in the voice of rejoicing. Rejoice, for Jesus Christ has enlightened you, as the stars on high, the wounds on your bodies; rejoice, O Sophia, who nobly beheld the sufferings of your children. Rejoice, for the Lord has adorned your goodness with heavenly beauty, which no eye has seen; rejoice, receiving the crowns of retribution. Rejoice, as three stars, illuminated by the Sun of truth; rejoice, O Sophia, who, in the courageous confession of your daughters, found great comfort in the name of Christ. Rejoice, dispelling the darkness of our doubts; rejoice, strengthening us who are troubled by spiritual and bodily sufferings. Rejoice, adorning our hearts with the beauty of love; rejoice, O Sophia, stronghold and comfort of those who are worn out by afflictions and necessities. Rejoice, O Faith, Hope, and Love, together with Sophia, your wise mother. A strange and incomprehensible thing to us weak ones, who have sunk into worldly passions, is the deed of the holy Sophia, who, seeing her beloved children enduring bitter and cruel sufferings and death, did not grieve, but rather rejoiced in spirit, singing to God: Alleluia There was wisdom in the heavens, O Sophia, when your daughters were trained by sweet words and wise exhortations to endure sufferings. Although she inclined to tears from nature, she was transformed by the love of Christ into joy, for she conquered the sorrow of her heart and the disease of her children by the love of God. Therefore, by great love, she loved her daughters more than all, and longed for the Kingdom of Heaven above all. For this reason, we are amazed at your wisdom and great love for your daughters and glorify you, and we cry out: Rejoice, O Sophia, for your soul has been gladdened by the blessed end of your daughters, who have boldly confessed the holy name of the Lord; rejoice, having received the honor and glory of martyrdom. Rejoice, having partaken in the martyrdom and being crowned with your daughters in the heavenly glory of Christ; rejoice, having buried the bodies of your daughters with joyful tears. Rejoice, having sat for three days at the tomb of your daughters and resting in sleep, awaiting the Lord; rejoice, although not in the flesh, but in your heart, suffering for Christ. Rejoice, for you have presented to the Holy Trinity these three virtuous daughters, manifesting faith, hope, and love for God; rejoice, having been saved by the fruit of your womb. Rejoice, O wondrous mother, worthy of blessed memory; rejoice, your daughters, who have prayed to shed their blood for Christ. Rejoice, teaching us to preserve unshakeably the virtues of faith, hope, and love; rejoice, praying to the Life-giving Trinity on our behalf. Rejoice, O Faith, Hope, and Love, together with Sophia, your wise mother. We, the holy angels, behold your sufferings with awe, and we triumphantly celebrate your victory over the devil, escorting your souls to heaven, and singing to Christ God: Alliuia Your numerous sufferings for Christ, O virtuous ones, cannot be silenced by the tongues of slanderers, who are amazed by your great exploit, undertaken in your youth, and are rendered speechless. We, who glorify God at your holy departure, extol you thus: Rejoice, O Faith, Hope, and Love, who sing the praise of God, who has ascended to the heavens; rejoice, shield of faith, breastplate of hope, and lampstand of love. Rejoice, who delight in beholding the radiant face of God; rejoice, O Sophia, blessed mother, who instructs your children in wise upbringing. Rejoice, who teach us to seek the Lord, and our soul shall live; rejoice, who warmly receive those who approach you with faith, hope, and love. Rejoice, who warn us, that all the sweetness and charm of this world is like smoke that vanishes, like dust scattered by the wind, and reduced to nothing; rejoice, O Sophia, who loves the Lord with all your heart. Rejoice, like three shining keys, which have come to the one Source of life; rejoice, like three fragrant flowers, which have bloomed on one fruitful branch. Rejoice, like three mirrors, which reflect the boundless beauty of God; rejoice, O Sophia, like a fruitful olive tree, with three branches, laden with the abundant fruits of God’s gifts. Rejoice, O Faith, Hope, and Love, together with Sophia, your wise mother. We desire to save your holy souls, O martyrs, for the sake of Christ’s love, despising the kingdom of this world, and gladly accepting martyrdom for Christ, singing to Him: Alliuia You, O holy martyrs, are a wall of faith, hope, and love to all who approach you with warm and fervent prayer, and thus comfort those who call upon you in times of sorrow and affliction: Rejoice, who are good healers of the wounds of sin; rejoice, who illuminate our darkness with the light of hope. Rejoice, who bring us peace in the midst of afflictions and sorrows; rejoice, O Sophia, who show us your wise care for us, who are cast down by the sufferings of life. Rejoice, O Faith, who hold up before us the cross of salvation; rejoice, who heal our infirmities through your prayers. Rejoice, O Hope, who give us the anchor of salvation; rejoice, who take away our sorrow and lift up our hearts. Rejoice, O Love, who intercede for us before the Lord, and protect us from sudden death; rejoice, who strengthen our weakness and revive our spirits. Rejoice, O Sophia, who are diligent in prayer to God on our behalf; rejoice, who are a wise guide in good deeds. Rejoice, O Faith, Hope, and Love, together with Sophia, your wise mother. We offer this hymn to you, holy martyrs, though it may be but a feeble expression of our devotion, that it may serve to extol your virtues and deeds. Yet, as we offer praise to God for all that He reveals to us in His saints, we sing: Alleluia Like lamps burning with heavenly light, Faith, Hope, and Charity, together with their mother Sophia, shine before the Lord. We approach them, entreating them to enlighten us, who are shrouded in sorrow and cry out from the depths of our hearts: Rejoice, your garments, stained with the blood of the Lamb, have been washed white on earth; rejoice, our advocate for eternal life. Rejoice, souls seeking rest in God’s mercy, stronghold and protection; rejoice, Sophia, who guards us from the vanity of the world. Rejoice, Faith, precious censer, offering incense to God in praise; rejoice, you who enlighten us sinners with your faith. Rejoice, Hope, our comfort and refuge in affliction; rejoice, radiant messenger of our deliverance in times of sorrow. Rejoice, Charity, pouring gentleness and meekness into our hearts; rejoice, mysterious star, lifting us from the narrowness of earthly life. Rejoice, Sophia, wise and venerable guide of the faithful; rejoice, you who establish and protect those who pray to you. Rejoice, Faith, Hope, and Charity, together with your mother Sophia, wise and venerable. Having received the gift of God’s grace, pray to us, holy martyrs, that the Most Pure Lord Christ may be merciful to us sinners, with faith, hope, and love for Him alone, our Lord and Savior, as we sing humbly: Alleluia We sing of your strong deeds, permeated with faith, hope, and love; we venerate your sufferings, we extol your wondrous patience, we bless your glorious end, which you attained for Christ; we magnify your unshakeable courage, holy martyrs Faith, Hope, and Charity, and your wise mother Sophia, and, praising you, we cry out: Rejoice, like three lightning flashes, shining with virtues from east to west; rejoice, vessels of faith, hope, and love, nourishing our souls with life-giving drink. Rejoice, three radiant paths, leading us to the throne of God’s glory; rejoice, Sophia, praised by your children from the ranks of the saints. Rejoice, Faith, flower of faith, whiter than snow; rejoice, solace for the afflicted. Rejoice, Hope, the lifting up of oppressed hearts; rejoice, like a life-giving stream, quenching the thirst of sorrowing souls. Rejoice, Charity, crown of the world, woven with joy and goodness; rejoice, wise lamp of eternity. Rejoice, Sophia, staff of strength, guiding and correcting your children with wisdom; rejoice, radiant beam of divine knowledge, shining upon our souls. Rejoice, Faith, Hope, and Charity, together with your mother Sophia, wise and venerable. О, святыя и достохвальныя мученицы Веро, Надеждо и Любы, и мудрая мати Софие, ныне приемше малое сие моление наше, от всяких ны бед, болезней и скорбей молитвами вашими избавите, да сподобльшеся во Царствии Небеснем зрети безсмертнаго Господа Иисуса, с вами вкупе воспоем Ему: Аллилуиа [Сей кондак глаголется трижды.] [Далее повторяем 1‑е икос и кондак:] Ангели на Небеси радовахуся, добродетельное житие ваше зряще, еже провождасте в чтении Писаний Божественных, в трудех, посте, молитве и милостыни, материю вашею непрестанно сущи поучаеми, да явитеся образи живии триех богословских добродетелей, ихже именами наречены бысте. Мы же, таковей мудрости матере вашея и совершенному благоразумию вашему дивящеся, благоговейно рцем вам: Радуйтеся, единомысленныя сестры, трием добродетелем тезоименитыя; радуйтеся, в повиновении богомудрей матери вашей на степени совершенствования вшедшия. Радуйтеся, аки три райския ветви, в зловернем Риме возрасшия; радуйся, Софие, дщерем твоим имена добродетелей нарекшая, яже вещию исполняти научила еси. Радуйся, Веро, верою невидимое, яко видимое, зрети нам помогающая; радуйся, в нетление облеченная. Радуйся, Надеждо, надеждою страдания наша во юдоли скорби ослабляющая и в горняя десницею указующая; радуйся, Царствие Небесное унаследовавшая. Радуйся, Любы, любовию Божественною блаженство безсмертныя жизни нам открывающая; радуйся, благодатию Духа Святаго осиянная. Радуйся, Софие, сиесть премудрость, премудре дщери твоя воспитавшая; радуйся, в добродетелех веры, надежды и любве нас утверждающая. Радуйтеся, Веро, Надеждо и Любы, купно с Софиею, материю вашею премудрою. Избранным рабам Господа Вседержителя, Вере, Надежде и Любви, и мудрей матери Софии, похвальная вам пения умиленно возносим. Вы же, яко дерзновение ко Христу Богу имуще, молитися за ны, во еже избавитися нам грехов и скорбей, да благодарственно вопием вам: Радуйтеся, Веро, Надеждо и Любы, купно с Софиею, материю вашею премудрою. О, святыя и достохвальныя мученицы Веро, Надеждо и Любы, и доблестных дщерей мудрая мати Софие! К вам ныне со усердною молитвою притекаем. Что бо паче возможет предстательствовати за ны пред Господем We extol, magnify, and venerate you, holy martyrs, Vera, Nadezhda, and Lyubov, together with the wise Mother Sophia, whom we reverence as an icon of the all-wise Providence. Pray, holy Vera, to the Creator of the visible and invisible, that He grant us faith that is steadfast, unshakeable, and unassailable. Intercede, holy Nadezhda, before the Lord Jesus Christ on our behalf, that He not withdraw from us the hope in good things and deliver us from every affliction and necessity. Comfort, holy Lyubov, the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter, our troubles and sorrows, that He may send from above the heavenly sweetness to our souls. Therefore, help us in our afflictions, holy martyrs, and together with your wise Mother Sophia, pray to the King of kings and Lord of lords, that He preserve His holy Church under His protection. With tears and heartfelt supplication, we beseech you, that with your fervent intercession before God, we may together with you and all the saints exalt and glorify the most holy and great name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, God, the Eternal Ruler and benevolent Associate, now and forever and in the ages of ages. Amen.Condak 3
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Икос 1
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