Name: Saint Barbara, virgin & martyr also known as Barbara of Nicomedia
Feast Day: December 4th (pre-1962 and post-1962 liturgy)
Liturgical Antiphon: “Great Martyr Barbara, thou canst pour forth healing grace upon those who honour thee with faith; for thou dost preach Christ and teach the true faith, and dost work great wonders in the world. Therefore, thou dost call us to a holy vigil, and dost speedily grant healing to those who cry aloud: Glory to Him Who has strengthened thee; glory to Him Who has crowned thee; glory to Him Who through thee works healings for all.” (Source: Eastern Orthodox liturgical antiphon for Saint Barbara)
Relics: Not Known
Biography:
Saint Barbara was born in Nicomedia, a city in present-day Turkey, during the reign of Emperor Maximian in the late 3rd century. She was the daughter of Dioscorus, a wealthy pagan merchant who was known for his extravagant lifestyle. Despite her father’s wishes, Barbara converted to Christianity at a young age, drawn to the teachings of the faith and the love of Christ.
Barbara’s newfound faith led her to embrace a life of devotion and charity. She spent time in prayer and contemplation, and she used her wealth to help the poor and the needy. Her acts of kindness and her unwavering faith soon gained her a reputation as a devoted Christian and a model of virtue.
However, her father, Dioscorus, was opposed to her Christian faith and wanted her to renounce it. He arranged for her to be betrothed to a pagan nobleman, but Barbara refused, as she had consecrated her life to Christ. In an effort to force her to abandon her faith, Dioscorus subjected her to various forms of torture and persecution. But Barbara remained steadfast in her faith, enduring the suffering with grace and courage.
One of the most well-known stories about Saint Barbara is the legend of the three windows. According to the legend, while Barbara was imprisoned by her father, she convinced the workers who were constructing a bathhouse in her father’s estate to add a third window to the original two. The number three was significant in Christian symbolism, representing the Holy Trinity. This act of defiance enraged her father when he found out, and he questioned Barbara about it. She fearlessly proclaimed her faith in the Holy Trinity, infuriating her father even more.
As the persecution intensified, Barbara’s father handed her over to the authorities. She was brought before the Roman governor, who ordered her to renounce her faith and worship pagan gods. When she refused, she was subjected to further torture, including being beaten and whipped. Despite the brutal treatment, Barbara remained firm in her faith, refusing to denounce Christ.
Finally, Barbara was sentenced to death by beheading. However, even in the face of death, Barbara remained steadfast in her faith, praying and professing her love for Christ until the very end. According to Christian tradition, after her death, her soul was carried to heaven by angels, and her body was buried by a pious Christian.
