Today, Tuesday, September 17, according to the calendar, the memory of Sophia and her daughters, Saint Agathoklea the martyr, Saint Olvianos, Saint Pantoleon, Saint Pileus is commemorated.

The names celebrating today are as follows:

Sophia, Sonia, Sofiani, Sofi, Sofina,
Fifi, Sofoula,
Sofitsa, Sofaki, Sofianos, Sofoulis,
Faith, Faith,
Hope, Hope,
love, love,
sofianna,
Agathoklis, Agathokleas, Agathoklia,
Olvianus, Olvianus, Olivia, Olivia*,
Pantoleon, Pantoleon, Pantoleontis, Pantoleontia, Pantoleontis,
Peleus, Peleas.

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia together with her three daughters, Faith, Hope and Agapi testified to their love and Christian belief during the years of Adrian. The mother along with her three minor girls, one twelve years old, the other ten years old and the youngest just nine years old were brought before the emperor to be tried for their Christian faith. All three children were beheaded and the mother gave up her spirit, unable to bear such pain, over the grave of her children

Hagia Sophia and the three daughters of Faith, Hope and Love

About Saint Sophia and her three daughters Faith, Hope and Love we know only that they were Christians and were martyred during the years of Emperor Hadrian (117 – 138 AD).

Hagia Sophia, an honest and good woman, when she became a widow went with her three daughters to Rome. All Rome learned that they were Christians, and the emperor ordered their arrest.

They took the mother apart and began interrogating the daughters. Twelve-year-old Faith was first presented to the king. Andrian tried to convince Pistis to deny Christ in exchange for material goods and a happy life in the palace but Pistis was adamant. Then, after torture, they beheaded her.

The same happened with the ten-year-old Hope, when she was asked if it was worth to be subjected to such torture, she answered, yes, because we have placed our hopes in the living God, who is the savior of all people. Elpida was immediately beheaded.

Nine-year-old Agapi had the same fate as she was beheaded.

Agia Sophia buried her daughters with honor and stayed for three days in their graves, begging God to take her to him. Indeed Sophia gave up her spirit next to the graves of her children.

Part of the Holy Relic of Agia Sophia exists in the Agios Nikolaos Monastery of Kaltezon, Arcadia.

*There are other dates this name celebrates.