# Orthodox Church commemoration of Saint Sophia > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/orthodox-church-commemoration-of-saint-sophia > Updated: 2026-09-18T05:30:44.000Z. Sources: 41. Developments: 3. The Orthodox Church observes the feast day of Saint Sophia and her daughters, Faith, Hope, and Charity (or Love), on September 17. According to tradition, the family lived in Rome during the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117–138 AD). As pious Christians, the women refused to offer sacrifices to the goddess Artemis, leading to the martyrdom of the three daughters—Faith (12), Hope (10), and Charity (9)—following torture. Saint Sophia reportedly died from grief three days after burying her children. The names of the daughters represent the three theological virtues mentioned in the New Testament. The relics of these martyrs are said to be preserved in Alsace, France. The feast is also associated with the city of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, which bears the saint’s name. Commemorations are observed across regions such as Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania, often involving customs like sharing fresh bread and fruit. In Greece, Metropolitan Timotheos of Thessaliotida previously cautioned that modern technologies can act as ‘modern idols’. More recently, Metropolitan Eirineos of Florina, Prespes, and Eordaea presided over a Vespers service at the Orthodox Missionary Brotherhood of Love in Florina. During the service, he presented Saint Sophia as a model for motherhood and education, emphasizing the family as the primary institution for spiritual cultivation and encouraging parents to pass Christian values to their children. ## Claims - The Orthodox Church honors Saint Sophia and her daughters, Faith, Hope, and Charity, on September 17. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Saint Sophia and her daughters were martyred during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Saint Sophia and her three daughters, Faith, Hope, and Charity, were martyred during the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117–138 AD). (corroborated by 2 sources) - The daughters were aged twelve, ten, and nine years old at the time of their martyrdom. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Church also commemorates Saint Agatheclia, Saint Olvianos, Saint Pantoleon, and Saint Pileus on this day. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Sophia lived in Rome during the second half of the 1st century. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Sophia had three daughters named Faith, Hope, and Love. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Emperor Hadrian ordered the girls to be brought before him. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Faith was 12, Hope was 10, and Love was 9 years old. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The relics of the martyrs have been kept in Alsace, France, since 777. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Orthodox Church honors the martyrs Sophia, Faith, Hope, and Love on September 17. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The city of Sofia celebrates its name day on September 17. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-18: Florina Metropolitan commemorates Saint Sophia Metropolitan Eirineos of Florina led a religious service commemorating Saint Sophia, emphasizing her role as a model for motherhood and the importance of Christian virtues within the family. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/florina-metropolitan-commemorates-saint-sophia ### 2026-09-16: Metropolitan Timotheos honors Saint Sophia in Platanos Farsalon Metropolitan Timotheos honored Saint Sophia and her daughters in Platanos Farsalon, urging followers to embrace spiritual virtues and caution against modern idols like mobile phones and AI. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/metropolitan-timotheos-honors-saint-sophia-in-platanos-farsalon ### 2026-09-16: Saint Sophia and her daughters commemorated by the Orthodox Church The Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of Saint Sophia and her daughters, Faith, Hope, and Charity, honoring their martyrdom in second-century Rome under Emperor Hadrian. 38 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saint-sophia-and-her-daughters-martyrdom-under-emperor-hadrian --- Cite as: Orthodox Church commemoration of Saint Sophia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/orthodox-church-commemoration-of-saint-sophia