Irene of Rome

Saint Irene of Rome was a Christian woman in the Roman Empire during the reign of Diocletian. She was the wife of Saint Castulus. According to Christian legend, she attended to Saint Sebastian after he was wounded by Mauretanian archers.

Saint Irene of Rome
St Sebastian Tended by Irene and her Maid. Hendrick Ter Brugghen
Died288 AD
Rome
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church
FeastApril 3
Attributestending to Saint Sebastian

Biography
Baroque relief of Saint Irene curing Saint Sebastian's injuries.

Irene was the wife of Saint Castulus who, according to tradition, was in the service of the Roman emperor. She was later widowed when Castulus was martyred for practicing Christianity and converting others to the religion.[1] After the death of her husband, Irene continued to be active in the Christian community in Rome. According to hagiography, when Saint Sebastian was shot with arrows for practicing Christianity, Irene tended his wounds.[2][3]

Saint Sebastian Tended by Saint Irene was the subject of many paintings by Benedetto Luti and others.

  • Irene of Rome and Saint Sebastian
  • Trophime Bigot
  • Dirck van Baburen, 1615
  • Marcantonio Bassetti -c.1620
  • attributed to Georges de La Tour, early 1630s
  • Georges de La Tour 1650
  • Felice Ficherelli -1650
  • Vicente López y Portaña 1795-1800

References
  1. "Sts. Castullus and Irene". faith.nd.edu.
  2. "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Sebastian". www.newadvent.org.
  3. "St. Irene". Catholic News Agency.
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