Sophia the Mother of Orphans

Description

Our Venerable Mother Sophia was born in the province of Ainos in southeastern Thrace, and was the daughter of prominent and wealthy Christian parents. When she was of age, her parents arranged for her to be married. She and her husband had six children. Though she was occupied with worldly cares and responsibilities, she still kept God’s commandments and lived a virtuous life. She loved to attend the Church Services, and so she progressed in virtue.

After sickness carried off Sophia’s husband and all her children in succession, she did not despair, but became even more devoted to God. She found solace in her grief by protecting orphans and widows. She spent her time in constant almsgiving, prayers, fasting, and everything which comforted her neighbor. Within a period of twenty years, she adopted one hundred children, and raised them to love God. For this reason, she is sometimes called Saint Sophia the Mother of Orphans.

She sold her property and gave the proceeds to the poor and to widows. She led an austere life, eating nothing but bread and water. She chose to do without the necessities of life herself rather than allow any poor person to leave her home empty-handed. The Psalms of the Prophet-King David were always on her lips, and tears flowed continuously from her eyes.

Because of her humility and love for the poor, God blessed her in the following way. In her home there was a barrel of wine which she kept for the poor. She noticed that no matter how much she took from the barrel, it remained full. However, as soon as she told someone about the miracle and glorified God, the barrel became empty. Saint Sophia was devastated, believing that the wine had failed because of her unworthiness. Therefore, she increased her ascetical labors until her health suffered.

Saint Sophia taught everyone how the ascetic life can be applied in the world. When combined with selfless charity, God performs wondrous miracles. It is enough to live this way “in secret.”

Sensing that the end of her life was near, she was tonsured as a nun. From that time, she devoted herself completely to worshiping God. Saint Sophia reposed peacefully at the age of fifty-three. She lived during the X-XI centuries.