Metropolitan Alexander’s Address on the Feast of Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and Their Mother Sophia

Reverend Fathers, dear brothers and sisters!

I warmly congratulate you all on the feast day of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia. Today the principal church of the Iveron-St. Seraphim Convent in Alma-Ata celebrates its patronal feast, traditionally known among the faithful as its “Little Pascha.”

The holy maidens, who bore the names of the principal Christian virtues – Faith, Hope and Love – suffered for Christ together with their devout mother Sophia in the year 137, during the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. All four appeared before the pagan ruler and fearlessly confessed their faith in the true God, who became man, rose from the dead and grants eternal life to all who believe in Him. Neither the arguments of court philosophers nor the eloquence of pagan sages could weaken the fervent faith of their Christian hearts.

The enraged Hadrian then ordered the children to be subjected to cruel tortures before their mother’s eyes. St. Sophia herself was not physically tortured, but was condemned to terrible anguish as she was forced to witness the suffering of her children. She buried the precious remains of her daughters and, two days later, gave up her soul to God at their grave.

In the Orthodox tradition, particular significance is attached to the account of the sufferings of these devout young girls and their wise mother, since the Church of Christ knows very few comparable cases in which young children consciously accepted martyrdom for their faith. We read with awe the ancient accounts and the testimonies of the twentieth century in which adult Christians defied their persecutors – whether pagans or atheists – and we marvel at their courage and resolve.

Today, however, our spiritual gaze is drawn to an immeasurably greater feat – girls of nine, ten and twelve years of age gave their lives for Christ. They went to their suffering fully aware of what was happening, courageously rejecting the emperor’s deceitful persuasion and promises. What was the source of their fearlessness? Their Life tells us that their mother Sophia – whose name means Wisdom – had raised them from infancy in the principal virtues of the Gospel, after which they had been named.

Firm faith in God, steadfast hope in the Lord and fervent love for Him enlightened their minds and strengthened their wills. Despite their young age, Faith, Hope and Love surpassed the sages and philosophers of this world in their knowledge of the Truth and overcame their tormentors through strength of spirit. In them were fulfilled the words of the Apostle Paul: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13). Thus neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature could separate them from the love of God (Rom. 8:38–39).

The martyrs whom we honor today clearly testify through their sacrifice that, for those strengthened by the grace of God, lack of physical strength, human frailty or young age cannot and should not prevent steadfastness of spirit, perseverance in a virtuous life and witness to the Christian faith.

For Kazakhstan, the names of the Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and Sophia have particular significance. In the nineteenth century, Orthodox settlers in the land of Semirechye chose them as their heavenly patrons and intercessors. Alma-Ata, the Southern Capital of the country, was originally named Verny in honor of the Martyr Faith, while nearby Cossack settlements were named after the other holy maidens and later became the cities of Kaskelen, Issyk and Talgar.

The convent cathedral dedicated to the Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia is a spiritual treasury of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District. It houses particles of the relics of great saints of God and full-size copies of wonderworking icons of the Queen of Heaven, blessed before the original shrines. Here also stands a full-size replica of the famous Godenovo Cross and the tomb of Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov), the revered elder and hierarch venerated by millions of believers.

Very soon, on October 2, we will welcome to this church the incorrupt dexter of St. Spyridon, Bishop of Trimythous. For several days, until October 6, the precious relics of this world-renowned saint will remain here, bringing us spiritual strength and consolation. Come yourselves, and tell your relatives, loved ones and friends to come here as well, so that they may draw grace from this inexhaustible source – the wonderworking and healing relics of the holy hierarch of Christ.

The Fathers and teachers of the Church, both in ancient times and in the recent past, have said: “The church is heaven on earth.” For a Christian, the church is the dearest and most beloved place on earth, because it is here that the human person undergoes spiritual transformation and purification. Therefore, with joyful hearts, let us hasten beneath these sacred vaults “to serve the living and true God” (Heb. 9:14).

And let us not only seek the grace-filled shelter of the Church ourselves, but also teach our children and grandchildren to revere the house of God and to love the divine services, foremost among which is the Divine Liturgy, where the sacred Sacrifice of the Eucharist is offered and we partake of the Life-Giving Body and Blood of the Savior.

By honoring the feast days of the holy martyrs, we are strengthened in spirit, learn to overcome our weaknesses and conquer our vices, and gain confidence as we follow the commandments of Christ.

Through the prayers of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia, may the Lord grant us to live according to the commandments of the Gospel not merely in word but in deed. May He grant us all the strength of faith, the steadfastness of hope and, above all, the power of love – love for God and for our neighbor.

Today we offer special congratulations to all those who bear the names of the holy martyrs whose memory we joyfully celebrate.

Let us turn in fervent prayer to the holy maidens with the concluding words of the festal troparion:

“O champions of the Trinity, Faith, Love and Hope, establish us in faith, love and hope.”