Sophia and Irene

ON SS. SOPHIA AND IRENE, MARTYRS,

FROM THE GREEK AND ROMAN CALENDARS.

Sophia, martyr. (S.)

Irene, martyr. (S.)

BY J. S.

These Martyrs seem distinct from those of the same names. Two Martyrs, without the title of virginity, Baronius in the Roman Martyrology announces today thus: Likewise of the holy martyrs Sophia and Irene. That he received these from the Greeks he indicates in his Annotations. But the Greeks in the Sirletian Menology have thus: And the commemoration of the holy women Sophia and Irene. Not even the title of martyrdom is there expressed. But in the printed Menaea both the martyrdom is asserted and the manner of death. For they are announced in Greek words which correspond to these Latin ones: On the same day, the memory of the holy women martyrs Sophia and Irene. Then these little verses are subjoined:

Ερηνη καὶ Σοφία τμηθεῖσαι κάρας, Σὲ τὴν ὑπὲρ νοῦν εἶδον εἰρήνην, Λόγε.

Irene and Sophia, their heads being cut off, beheld Thee, who art the peace surpassing understanding, O Word.

I find nothing further added about these Martyrs: nor is their memory on this day in the Basilian Menology, and it is likewise absent from various calendars of the Greeks in manuscript among us. On the contrary, in a manuscript of the Ambrosian library they are found on the preceding day, and on that day they are also commemorated in the Sirletian Menology. For the rest, some suspicion can arise that these same women are commemorated by the Greeks on other days too, since they are here exhibited without any elogium, and in only a few calendars. Nevertheless it appears more probable that these holy women are distinct from others of the same names who are announced on various days of the year: for although the names of each recur frequently through the year, yet Sophia and Irene are not commemorated together on other days, as companions in martyrdom, in the way that today's are announced together. I have nothing more to add.