Irene of Tomar | |
---|---|
Virgin and martyr | |
Born | c. 635 Tomar, Portugal |
Died | c. 653 Scalabis (Santarém), Portugal |
Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church |
Feast | 20 October |
Attributes | as a nun, with the palm of martyrdom |
Patronage | Tomar, Portugal; Santarém; Santa Iria de Azóia , Loures |
Saint Irene of Tomar (Portuguese: Santa Iria) (c.635 – c.653) was a Christian who was martyred for her faith in Visigothic Portugal. Her parents, wishing to protect her, sent her to a convent school and a private tutor. The only times she left her house was to attend Mass or pray at the sanctuary of Saint Peter. The legend of her life is possibly little more than that.[1]