The Martyrdom of Agape, Chionia, and Irene is an anonymous early Christian text from the 4th century CE. It recounts the trial and execution of three sisters—Agape, Chionia, and Irene—in the city of Thessalonica. According to the narrative, they were martyred during the Great Persecution under Emperor Diocletian around 304 CE for refusing to renounce their Christian faith and surrender their religious texts.
The work is a classic example of a martyr act, a genre written to honor and preserve the memory of those who died for their beliefs. It describes the sisters' interrogation by the governor Dulcitius, their steadfast refusal to worship pagan gods, and their sentences: Agape and Chionia were burned alive, while Irene was imprisoned and later burned after being found still in possession of Christian writings. The text is not a historical report in the modern sense but a stylized account designed to inspire and strengthen Christian communities by emphasizing virtues like courage, purity, and devotion.
The document is significant for understanding early Christian life under persecution. It provides insight into the legal pressures faced by believers and how communities memorialized their heroes. Modern scholars view it as an important source for studying the development of saint veneration, the role of women in early Christian narratives, and the theological values that shaped the faith in the late antique Greek-speaking world.
Available Works
Sources
- IEP Entry (Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy) Accessed: 2026-01-26
- Perseus Entry (Perseus Digital Library) Accessed: 2026-01-26