Hope of Rome

Holy Martyr Hope of Rome, a girl, suffered in the year 137, in the time of the emperor Hadrian (117-138), together with her sisters Faith and Love and their mother, Sophia. In Rome there lived a pious widow, Sophia (the name means "wisdom"), who had three daughters, named with the names of the chief Christian virtues: Faith, Hope and Love. Being a deeply believing Christian, Sophia brought up her daughters in love for God, teaching them not to cling to earthly goods. The news that this family was Christian reached the emperor, and he wished to see in person the three sisters and the mother who had reared them. All four appeared before the emperor and fearlessly confessed faith in Christ, risen from the dead and giver of eternal life to all who believe in Him. Surprised at the boldness of the young Christians, the emperor sent them to a pagan woman, whom he commanded to persuade them to renounce the faith. But all the arguments and eloquence of the pagan teacher were in vain, and the Christian sisters, aflame with faith, did not change their convictions. Then they were brought again before the emperor Hadrian, who insistently demanded that they sacrifice to the pagan gods. But the girls rejected the command with indignation.

"We have a Heavenly God," they answered, "His children we wish to remain, and your gods we spit upon and we do not fear your threats. We are ready to suffer and even to die for our dear Lord Jesus Christ." Then, enraged, Hadrian commanded that the girls be put to various torments. The executioners began with Faith, before her mother and sisters. She was beaten, her breasts were cut, she was thrown into the fire, then into a cauldron of boiling pitch. But by the Lord's will the cauldron cooled and did no harm to the confessor. Then she was sentenced to be beheaded with the sword. "I go with joy to my beloved Lord and Saviour," said Saint Faith, and bravely bowed her head under the sword and so gave up her spirit to God.

The younger sisters, Hope and Love, encouraged by the courage of the eldest, endured similar torments. The fire did them no harm, then their heads were cut off with the sword. Sophia they did not torture in the body, but condemned her to a still greater suffering of soul, separation from her tormented children. The sufferer buried the venerable remains of her daughters and for two days did not stir from their grave. On the third day the Lord sent her a quiet death and received her much-⁠suffering soul into the heavenly dwellings. Saint Sophia, having endured for Christ great sufferings of soul, was numbered by the Church, together with her daughters, among the saints. They suffered in the year 137. Faith, the eldest, was then twelve years old, the second, Hope, ten, and the youngest, Love, only nine. Hope is commemorated on 30 September, in the new style.