St Barbara Medal

Feastday:

December 4


Patron:

of armourers, artillerymen, architects, mathematicians, miners

Birth: Mid-third Century

Death: Late-third Century

Saint Barbara, also known as the Great Martyr Barbara, was an early
Christian Greek martyr born mid-third century in Heliopolis, Phoenicia.

Barbara was the daughter to a rich pagan named Dioscorus. After the
death of Barbara's mother, Dioscorus dedicated his life to his only
daughter.

Barbara was known for being extremely beautiful. As a way of
"protecting" her, Dioscorus shielded her from the world by locker her
high up within a tower. He allowed only her pagan teachers to see her.

Barbara spent her days gazing upon the hills and admiring all of
God's creations. She often pondered about the "First Cause and Creator
of so harmonious and splendid a world." She soon realized the idols her
father and teachers worshiped were not of God's creation.

Barbara secretly became a Christian and dedicated her life to knowing
the true God and making Him known to others. She offered herself
completely to the Lord, choosing a life of consecrated virginity.

As Barbara grew older, her father, Dioscorus began presenting men to
her for marriage. She refused them all and warned her father that his
persistence could forever damage their relationship.

Dioscorus allowed for Barbara to leave her tower, hoping some freedom
would change her attitude. Barbara used this opportunity to meet other
Christians. They taught her about the Lord Jesus, the Holy Trinity and
the Church. A priest from Alexandria, disguised as a merchant, baptized
Barbara into Christ and His Church.

While Barbara was out exploring the world, her father had a private
bath-house built for her. The original architectural plans were for two
windows to be built, but, while her father was away, Barbara advised the
workers to make a third window ? creating a Trinity of light.

Barbara's bathhouse became a place full of healing power and many
miracles occurred there. St. Simeon Metaphrastes even compared it to the
stream of Jordan.

After Dioscorus returned, Barbara informed him she had become a
Christian and would no longer worship his idols. Full of rage, her
father grabbed his sword and went to strike her. Before he could do so,
Barbara ran off.

Her father chased after her, but was abruptly stopped when a hill
blocked his way. The hill opened and hid Barbara within a crevice.
Dioscorus searched and searched for his daughter, but could not find
her.

Dioscorus came across two shepherds and asked them if they had seen
her. The first denied, but the second betrayed Barbara. Some legends
indicate that he was turned to stone and his flock was turned into
locusts.

Her father Dioscorus beat his daughter, locked her up and starved
her. He then handed her over to Martianus, the prefect of the city.
Together, they continued to beat and torture her, but Barbara never
renounced her Christian faith. She prayed to Jesus and he appeared to
heal her wounds. This only made Martianus try harder to get her to
renounce the Lord and her Christian faith. She refused and her Lord gave
her strength to stand firm.

Barbara, along with another virtuous Christian woman named Juliana,
were injured with rakes and hooks and led naked throughout the city.

After Barbara prayed, an angel came and covered the pair with a robe
and torches used to burn Barbara went out when they came near her.

Finally, Barbara was condemned to death by beheading by her father. Her martyrdom took place on December 4th.

Seen as a punishment for their actions, Dioscorus and Martianus were both killed after being struck by lightning.

In the 6th century relics of St. Barbara were taken to
Constantinople. Six hundred years later, they were taken to Kiev by the
daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Alexius Comnenos. Today, they rest at
the St. Vladimir cathedral in Kiev.

Doubt and questions surrounding the history of St. Barbara caused her
to be removed from the General Roman Calendar, but not from the
Catholic Church's list of saints.

The United States Army Field Artillery Association and the United
States Army Air Defense Artillery Association hold the Order of Saint
Barbara as an honorary society within the military.

St. Barbara is depicted with mini chains, standing by or holding a
tower with three windows, carrying a palm branch, and sometimes with
cannons.

She is the patron saint of armourers, artillerymen, architects,
mathematicians, miners and the Italian Navy. St. Barbara is one of the
Fourteen Holy Helpers, venerated because their intercession is believed
to be particularly effective against diseases. Barbara is often invoked
against lightning and fire, with associations of explosions. Her feast
day is celebrated on December 4.