The Holy Great Martyr Irene lived in a time when one could be persecuted and suffer martyrdom just for the name “Christian.” The Greek word μάρτυς, which was used to call all those who suffered martyrdom for the faith of Christ, means “witness.” The martyr testifies with his own blood to faith in Christ, crucified and risen in the glory of His Father. The Church glorifies Saint Irene as a great martyr. Great and numerous were her sufferings, great were her labors, but great was her reward from God, who glorified her here on earth with numerous miracles. This collection, containing canons and akathists to Saint Irene, as well as stories about shrines named after her, contains unique materials about other Irenes who played a large role in history.