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New Martyr · 15th century

New Martyrs Raphael Nicholas and Irene of Lesbos

Also known as Raphael of Lesbos · Nicholas of Lesbos · Irene of Lesbos · Eleni (Susanna) of Lesbos

Saint Raphael, an abbot, the deacon Nicholas, and the young girl Irene, together with her family, were tortured and slain by the Turks on Bright Tuesday in 1463 on the island of Lesbos; forgotten for nearly five centuries, they were rediscovered in the twentieth century through visions and relics.

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Notes

Their principal commemoration falls on Bright Tuesday (movable); the fixed date Apr 9 is also kept. Eleni (Susanna), said to be a cousin of Saint Irene, is commemorated with them.

Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints