Ruled Notebook | Raphael Nicholas and Irene of Lesbos

Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene of Lesbos

Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene of Lesbos are venerated as saints and neomartyrs. According to the tradition, they lived on the island of Lesbos in the 15th century and suffered a martyr's death from Turkish raiders in1463.

The story of the three saints first emerged in 1959, when local villagers reported seeing them in their dreams and in miraculous visions, during which the saints revealed their stories to them. The supposed site of their martyrdom was subsequently excavated and human remains believed to be those of the saints were found. These relics are presently kept in a monastery that was re-built on the site.

The saints were canonized in 1970. Their memory is commemorated on Tuesday of Bright Week.