Martyr Sophia Of Thrace

Venerable Sophia of Thrace (also known as Sophia of Ainos) was born in the coastal town of Ainos in the Rhodope region of Thrace, most likely in the tenth or eleventh century (her exact dates are unknown). Though a married woman and mother of six children, occupied with the cares of the world, she carefully kept God's commandments and lived a virtuous life. After all her children died, one after another, she turned her maternal love toward orphans, taking in and raising abandoned children for many years and assisting widows and the poor — earning the title "Mother of Orphans." She sold her property and distributed the proceeds to the needy, adopting a strict ascetic life of bread and water alone. According to tradition, a jar of wine kept in her home for almsgiving miraculously refilled itself no matter how much was drawn from it — until she spoke of the miracle to others, after which it ran dry. Sensing her death approaching, she received monastic tonsure and soon reposed peacefully at the age of fifty-three. Her feast is kept on June 4 (Old Style) / June 17 (New Style). She must not be confused with the martyr Sophia of Rome, mother of Faith, Hope and Love, commemorated September 17/30.