Hagia Irene is known as a saint who lived in ancient times. This saint, whose real name is Penelope, tried to spread the Christian faith. She was subjected to various tortures because of her efforts, which the pagans opposed. According to the story, she was thrown into a well, but snakes did not kill her. This situation strengthened the idea that she was a sacred being.
Later, Penelope was denounced as a witch, and despite being stoned, she still managed to survive. These tortures did not cause her to give up her faith; on the contrary, they made her stronger. During the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great, Hagia Irene was considered a sacred being and was given the title of "St. Hagia Irene," meaning "sacred peace."
The Hagia Irene Church, located in Istanbul today, was built in her memory and gained importance as a place of Christian worship.