Saint Barbara

Feast Day: December 4

• St. Barbara was born in the 3rd century in the town of Heliopolis of Phoenicia (modern-day Lebanon) or possibly Nicomedia (modern-day Turkey), according to different traditions. She was the daughter of a wealthy and powerful pagan named Dioscorus, who was extremely protective of her due to her beauty and intelligence.

• To safeguard her from the rest of the world, Dioscorus kept Barbara secluded in a tower. During her isolation, Barbara began to contemplate the natural world around her and eventually embraced the truth of Christianity, recognizing the one God who made all things. She secretly converted to Christianity, despite knowing that her father would strongly disapprove.

• Barbara's father arranged for her to marry a wealthy suitor, but she refused, expressing her desire to dedicate her life to God.

• Before going away on a journey one day, Dioscorus ordered for a private bathhouse to be built for Barbara's use. While he was away, she instructed the builders to add a third window to the bathhouse, instead of only two. This was her own secret tribute to the Holy Trinity. It's said that she also carved a cross into the bathhouse wall.

• When Dioscorus returned and Barbara confessed her Christian faith to him, he was furious. He dragged her before the local Roman authorities, who ordered her to renounce her faith. When she refused, she was subjected to brutal torture. Yet her resolve remained unshaken, and God protected her during the protracted torture sessions. Her wounds miraculously healed overnight, torches meant to burn her would go out before harming her, and more. All of this only further angered her captors.

• Finally, Barbara's own father took it upon himself to have her executed. He beheaded her with his sword on December 4th, around the year AD 306. However, after carrying out the execution, Dioscorus was struck by lightning and killed, which was seen by many as God's punishment to him for Barbara's death.

• St. Barbara became a popular saint in the early Church, and her story spread widely throughout the Eastern and Western Christian worlds. She is often depicted in art holding a tower with three windows, a palm branch, and sometimes with a chalice and a host, symbolizing her faith and martyrdom.

• St. Barbara is the patron saint of artillerymen, miners, and those who work with explosives, as well as those who face sudden death. Her patronage is also associated with lightning, and she is also invoked during thunderstorms for protection.

• St. Barbara's feast day is celebrated on December 4th, the date of her martyrdom.

St. Barbara, pray for us!