When Sedecius, the new prefect of the city, heard of this miracle he summoned Apellian and questioned him about Irene's manner of life.
St Irene lived in the house of her teacher Apellian, and she began to preach Christ among the pagans, converting them to the path of salvation. Resigning his administrative duties, Licinius devoted himself to the service of the Lord Jesus Christ. Seeing such a miracle, Licinius and his wife, and many of the people, (about 3000 men) believed in Christ and turned from the pagan gods. They untied the holy virgin, and through her prayers Licinius rose unharmed in the presence of eyewitnesses with his hand intact. Then it knocked Licinius down and began to trample him. Instead of harming the saint, one of the horses charged Licinius, seized his right hand and tore it from his arm. She was tied up and thrown beneath the hooves of wild horses so that they might trample her to death, but he horses remained motionless.
He attempted to turn her from Christ by having her tortured. When Licinius learned that his daughter refused to worship the pagan gods, he was furious. Since St Irene had dedicated herself to Christ, she refused to marry any of the suitors her father had chosen for her. Shortly after this, she destroyed all her father's idols. She even urged her own parents to become Christians. After this Penelope refused marriage, was baptized by the priest Timothy, and she was named Irene (peace). The raven and the snake foretold her future suffering and sorrow.Īt the end of the conversation Apellianus said that the Lord wished to betroth her to Himself and that Penelope would undergo much suffering for her heavenly Bridegroom. The eagle with the wreath of flowers represented success in her future life. Penelope was puzzled by these events and wondered what they meant.Īpellian explained that the dove signified her education, and the olive branch stood for the grace of God which is received in Baptism. Finally, a raven flew in carrying a snake, which it dropped on the table. Then an eagle swooped in with a wreath of flowers in its beak, and also placed it upon the table. One day, a dove flew through the window carrying an olive branch in its beak, depositing it upon a table. When Penelope reached adolescence, her parents began to think about her marriage. Apellian was a Christian, and during her lessons, he told the girl about Christ the Savior and taught her the Christian Faith and the Christian virtues. An old tutor by the name of Apellian was assigned to give her the best possible education. He also placed thirteen young maidens in the tower with her. Penelope was very beautiful, and her father kept her isolated in a high tower from the time she was six so that she would not be exposed to Christianity. She was the daughter of the pagan king Licinius, and her parents named her Penelope. The holy Great Martyr Irene was born in the city of Magedon in Persia during the fourth century.
0 kommentar(er)
