ST. BARBARA (DEC. 5TH)

 

St. Barbara, Virgin Martyr 

Edited by Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West)

Today is the Feast of St. Barbara, one of the “Fourteen Holy Helpers” who became especially venerated in the Western Orthodox Church. 

St. Barbara, the daughter of a rich pagan named Dioscorus, was carefully guarded by her father who kept her locked up in a tower in order to preserve her from the outside world. Having secretly become a Christian, she rejected an offer of marriage that she received through her father.

Before going on a journey, her father commanded that a private bath-house be erected for her use near her dwelling, and during his absence, St. Barbara had three windows put in it, as a symbol of the Holy Trinity, instead of the two originally intended. When her father returned, she acknowledged herself to be a Christian; upon this he drew his sword to kill her, but her prayers created an opening in the tower wall and she was miraculously transported to a mountain gorge, where two shepherds watched their flocks. Dioscorus, in pursuit of his daughter, was rebuffed by the first shepherd, but the second betrayed her. For doing this, he was turned to stone and his flock was changed to locusts.

St. Barbara on an Rare English Rood Screen that Survived the Stripping of the Altars

Dragged before the prefect of the province, Martinianus, who had her cruelly tortured, St. Barbara held true to her Christian faith. During the night, the dark prison was bathed in light and new miracles occurred. Every morning, her wounds were healed. Torches that were to be used to burn her went out as soon as they came near her. Finally, she was condemned to death by beheading. Her father himself carried out the death-sentence. However, as punishment, he was struck by lightning on the way home and his body was consumed by flame. St. Barbara was buried by a Christian, Valentinus, and her tomb became the site of miracles. 

Collect

ALMIGHTY GOD, who among the marvels of Thy power has given the victory of martyrdom to holy virgins, grant in Thy mercy that we who keep the birthday of blessed Barbara, Thy virgin and martyr, may, by her example, draw nearer to Thee. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

St. Barbara, Pray for Us!