The name of the father of Saint Barbara. The Holy Great Martyr Barbara: a biography that helps. From the Life of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara
The Holy Great Martyr Barbara of Iliopolis is revered by both Orthodox and Catholics. Her face is depicted on the coats of arms of many cities. The world-famous resort city of Santa Barbara is named in her honor, or so its residents say.
Why is Saint Barbara revered?
The Holy Great Martyr Barbara of Iliopolis was canonized after she accepted a painful death for her faith in Christ. This happened in 306. Since then, the day of remembrance of Varvara Iliopolskaya has been celebrated by Orthodox Christians on the seventeenth of December, and by Catholics on the fourth of December. What is known about this saint? We will talk about this today in this article.
Barbara of Iliopol, great martyr: life (briefly)
Barbara was born in the 3rd century in the town of Iliopolis, during the reign of Emperor Maximian, in the family of a noble and wealthy aristocrat Dioscorus, who professed paganism. To protect his beloved only daughter from Christian influence, he built for her a very high tower, which she was not allowed to leave without her father's permission.
Knowledge of the world
The years passed, and by the age of sixteen the girl had turned into an extraordinary beauty. Numerous rich and noble suitors dreamed of marrying her, but the girl was completely indifferent to all the contenders for her hand and heart. She was much more interested in other questions: she wanted to understand the mystery of the origin of the world, the harmony and beauty of which she could observe only from the window of her tower.
She was not satisfied with the answers of her father and numerous teachers, who claimed that all this was created by many gods, whom her entire family worshiped. She thought a lot in solitude and came to the conclusion that water and earth, air and the sun were created by a single creator, and not the gods that people created in their imagination and worship them.
Varvara categorically told her father that she refused to marry. Her answer puzzled Dioscorus, but did not upset him too much: he decided to allow the girl to communicate with young representatives of her circle. He did not lose hope that over time the rebellious daughter would change her decision. However, her father’s idea had the opposite effect: Varvara met girls who told her the story of Christ and explained the essence of his teachings.
Baptism
Secretly from her father, Varvara received baptism, which filled her with love for God and grace of such strength that she took a vow to devote her entire life to serving him. This news infuriated the father, and he wanted to kill his daughter with his sword, but did not do so. He beat the unfortunate girl and took her to the ruler Maximian, declaring that he renounced her and demanded the most terrible punishment for the apostate that she deserved for her decision. The emperor was struck by the beauty of the girl and tried to reason with her, but in response he heard that Varvara would not renounce her accepted faith.
Martyrdom
The girl was tortured for 24 hours, her body was covered with terrible bleeding wounds. But courageous Varvara did not renounce her faith. Having learned about her perseverance, another townswoman admitted to accepting Christianity. After terrible torture, both girls were beheaded. Varvara’s executioner was her father, who, according to legend, was punished by higher powers: he was struck by lightning, leaving only a pile of ashes.
History of the relics
The relics of the Great Martyr Barbara were transported to Constantinople in the 6th century. According to Orthodox legend, Princess Varvara Komnina, who was the daughter of Alexei Komnenos, the Byzantine emperor, in 1108, before leaving for Rus', turned to her father with a request to give her the healing relics of the great martyr.
Her husband, Prince Svyatopolk Izyaslavich, named Michael in baptism, a year before had built a stone church in Kyiv, into which the saint’s relics were placed with honor. St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery was founded there. During Batu’s invasion, the relics were securely hidden, and then returned to their place.
Under the Metropolitan of Kiev Peter Mohyla (1644), part of Varvara’s finger was donated to the Polish Chancellor Georgy Osolinsky. Around the same time, the left hand of the great martyr, which had been in Greece for a long time, was transferred to the monastery church of the city of Lutsk.
Six years later (1650), the Lithuanian hetman Janusz Radziwill, who captured Kyiv by storm, stole two particles of relics from the ribs and fingers. Some of them were given to his wife, and later to Metropolitan Joseph of Tukalsky of Kyiv, who bequeathed them to the monastery of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the city of Baturin.
In 1656, Metropolitan Sylvester of Kiev donated part of the relics to Patriarch Macarius (Great Britain). In the thirties of the last century, the St. Michael's Monastery was destroyed, and the relics of St. Barbara were transferred to the museum. Now they are kept in the Vladimir Cathedral in Kyiv.
Saint Barbara in Catholicism
The earliest Lives of the Great Martyr date back to the 7th century. This fact served as the basis for the decision of Pope Paul IV to exclude her from the list of Catholic saints who have general church veneration. He doubted the reality of the existence of Varvara Iliopolskaya. His decision was probably influenced by the fact that the saint’s identity was not documented. Therefore, since 1969 she has not been included in the list of Catholic saints.
Nevertheless, this did not influence individual communities that wished to venerate the Great Martyr Barbara of Iliopolis as locally revered. For this reason, even today in many Catholic countries Saint Barbara is revered as the heavenly patroness.
For example, in the Czech Republic in December they traditionally celebrated the feast of this saint, which was on the eve of the approaching Christmas Eve (Generous Day). Since this day was celebrated two days before Christmas Eve, over time the two holidays were combined in many areas of the Czech Republic.
In Poland, Varvara Iliopolskaya is the patroness of miners. Her statues and images can be seen not only in miners’ chapels, but also in churches and in miners’ houses.
They chose her as their patroness based on the miracle described in the Life. Fleeing from her distraught father, Varvara Iliopolskaya ran to the mountain, which parted and hid the unfortunate woman in its depths. True, nothing is said there about how the father managed to capture the fugitive. For all mining industry workers, the seventeenth of December is a non-working day.
Patroness of artillerymen
Saint Barbara of Iliopolis is the intercessor of all warriors, people, one way or another, associated with weapons. Therefore, her face can often be seen on military flags and regimental banners. The artillerymen revere Varvara thanks to another miracle from the Life - her tormentors, including her own father, were struck by lightning. Remembrance Day of the Barbarians is celebrated in the armies of Australia, Great Britain, Norway, Canada, and the USA.
Customs on the day of memory of Varvara Iliopolskaya
On this day in the 19th century, “barbarians” - girls and women wrapped in white fabrics - walked from house to house in villages. They covered their faces with a veil or veil. White color was a symbol of Varvara’s purity and innocence. Two or three girls went home together. One was carrying a basket of apples, sweets and nuts. These were gifts for children. Another carried a broom in her hands to punish naughty brats.
They knocked on the door, came in very quietly and sang a beautiful song at the icon of Varvara of Iliopol, and treated the kids. Sometimes older children prayed, sang or recited poems to receive a gift. Somewhat later, another custom appeared: girls stopped covering their faces, and only the tradition of giving gifts to children remained. In the evening, the children left a plate outside the window, and in the morning of December 17, gifts from St. Barbara appeared on it.
Interesting facts about Varvara Iliopolskaya
Looking at the icon of the Great Martyr Barbara, you can see the holy chalice (a special cup for Communion) in her hands. According to the canon of the Church, this vessel cannot be touched by any lay person - only by priests. In the Orthodox Church, with a chalice in his hand, besides Varvara, only John of Kronstadt is depicted.
They pray to Saint Barbara for deliverance from serious illnesses and protection from sudden death. In addition, mothers ask her for protection of children, for help in sadness and despondency.
Saint Barbara is revered as the deliverer from death without repentance. Before her death, she prayed to God to protect everyone who resorted to her help from sudden death, and the Lord heeded her prayers. Therefore, even today they send their prayers to Saint Barbara so as not to die without Holy Communion and confession. And according to legend, those who leave our world on the day of remembrance of the saint are given communion by Varvara herself.
In 1883, an asteroid was discovered, which received its name in honor of this saint (number 234).
Many cities and areas around the world are named after her. The Great Martyr Barbara is depicted on the coat of arms of the city of Forst (Germany), the village of Vlasikha (Moscow region), and the city of Strumen (Poland).
In honor of the Great Martyr Barbara, many Christian churches were erected around the world. Probably the most unique, striking in its location, is located on steep cliffs at an altitude of six hundred meters in Meteora. This is the largest nunnery complex in Greece. The Rusanu Monastery was founded in the thirteenth century. The most beautiful Gothic church is considered to be the Church of St. Barbara in the Czech town of Kutna Hora, which resembles a carved elegant box.
The icon of St. Barbara, which is now kept in Samara, visited space in 2000 at the Mir orbital station.
Saint Barbara was declared the patroness of our country's Missile Forces in 1995.
The Great Martyr Barbara, whose icon is found in most Orthodox churches, cathedrals, and churches, is one of the most revered shrines of Christians. For many centuries, an endless stream of people have been coming to her, confiding their deepest secrets to her and opening their souls to her in the hope of help and support. It is believed that Barbara has a blessing from Jesus Christ in protecting all those who pray before her from cruel, violent death.
Saint Barbara is one of the most revered saints in Russia. In the old days, her icon was in almost every home. They prayed to her in illness, asked her for help and support.
We named our clinic “Saint Barbara” because before in Rus', and now all over the world, medical institutions were given the names of saints. This is important, because, on the one hand, we receive additional support, and on the other hand, this very name imposes additional responsibility on us.
Troparion of the Great Martyr Barbara
voice 4:
All-blessed Lamb Barbara,/ Divinely illuminated by the Light of the Holy Trinity Trisolar/ and strengthened in the font,/ in victory over the flattery of the fathers/ you confessed your faith in Christ./ Thus, O all-honorable one, God has given you grace from above/ to heal all ailments and illnesses./ Pray for the same, Great Martyr ,/ may our souls be saved.
The Holy Great Martyr Barbara was the daughter of the noble pagan Dioscorus, she lived with her father in the city of Iliopolis in Phoenicia during the reign of Emperor Galerius (305-311). She lost her mother early. Having become a widower, Dioscorus focused all his attention on raising his only daughter. Varvara delighted him with his abilities and beauty. He settled his daughter in the tower, hiding her from prying eyes. Only pagan teachers and maids had access to it.
In solitude, Varvara observed the life of nature, the beauty of which brought inexplicable consolation to her soul. She began to wonder who created all this beauty? The soulless idols made by human hands that her father worshiped could not be the source of life. Guided by the Holy Spirit, Varvara came to the idea of the One, Life-Giving God, the Creator of the universe.
Many noble and rich young men, having learned about Varvara’s beauty and chastity, wanted to win her hand. Dioscorus invited his daughter to choose a groom for herself, but Varvara resolutely refused. Dioscorus was upset by his daughter’s insistence, and he left Iliopolis, hoping that in his absence Varvara would be bored and change her mind. He gave her complete freedom, hoping that conversations with different people and new acquaintances would influence his daughter, and she would agree to marry.
Soon after her father's departure, Varvara met Christian girls who told her about the Incarnation of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice, about the general resurrection and future judgment of the living and the dead, about the eternal torment of sinners and idolaters and the bliss of the righteous. In the heart of Varvara, who had long thirsted to hear the word of truth, love for the Lord Jesus Christ and the desire to be a Christian burned. By the providence of God, at that time there was a presbyter from Alexandria in Iliopolis. From him, Varvara learned the basics of the Christian faith and received Holy Baptism.
Before leaving, Dioscorus ordered the construction of a bathhouse with two windows in honor of the sun and moon. Varvara asked the workers to make three windows - in the image of the Trinity Light. Next to the bathhouse there was a font surrounded by a marble fence. On the eastern side of the fence, Varvara drew a cross with her finger, which was imprinted on the stone, as if it had been knocked out with iron. The Saint's footprint was imprinted on the stone step, and a source of healing water flowed from it.
Dioscorus soon returned and, having learned about Barbara’s order, was dissatisfied with it. While talking to her, he was horrified to learn that his daughter was a Christian. Dioscorus, in a rage, pulled out a sword and wanted to hit Varvara with it, but she ran away. When Dioscorus began to catch up with her, a mountain blocked Varvara’s path. The saint turned to God for help. The mountain parted, and she entered a chasm, along which she came to the top of the mountain. There Varvara hid in a cave.
Dioscorus found his daughter with the help of a shepherd, beat her severely, and then locked her in a small dark room and began to starve and thirst her to force her to renounce the Christian faith. Having failed to achieve this, he betrayed his daughter into the hands of the ruler of the city, Martian, a persecutor of Christians.
Martian tried for a long time to persuade Saint Barbara to worship idols. He promised her all sorts of earthly blessings, and then, seeing her inflexibility, he gave her over to be tortured: They beat Saint Barbara with ox sinews until the ground around her was stained with blood. After the beating, the wounds were rubbed with hair shirt. Varvara, barely alive, was thrown into prison. At midnight, the prison was illuminated by an indescribable Light, and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself appeared to the suffering Great Martyr, healed her wounds, sent down joy to her soul, and consoled her with the hope of bliss in the Heavenly Kingdom. The next day, the Great Martyr Barbara again appeared before the court of Martian. Seeing her healed from her wounds, the ruler did not come to his senses and again invited her to sacrifice to idols, convincing her that it was they who healed her. But Saint Barbara glorified the Lord Jesus Christ - the true healer of souls and bodies. She was subjected to even greater torture. In the crowd stood the Christian Juliana (d. c. 306), who indignantly began to denounce the cruelty of Martian and announced to everyone that she was also a Christian. They grabbed her and began to torture her in the same way as the Great Martyr Barbara. They hung the martyrs and began to beat them with ox sinews and scrape them with iron scrapers. Then the Great Martyr Barbara’s nipples were cut off and she was led naked through the city. But the Angel of the Lord covered the Saint: those who looked at this torture did not see her nakedness. 
The ruler sentenced both martyrs to beheading with a sword. The execution of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara was carried out by her father. This happened around 306. Martian and Dioscorus immediately after the execution received retribution from God: they died from a lightning strike. In her dying prayer, Saint Barbara asked the Lord to save everyone who resorted to her help from unexpected troubles, from sudden death without repentance, and to pour out His grace on them. In response, she heard a voice from Heaven, promising to fulfill what she asked. The bodies of the Holy Martyrs were buried by Galentian. Subsequently, he built a church over their grave.
In the VI century. The relics of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara were transferred to Constantinople. By the providence of God, the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Alexy I Komnenos (1081-1118), Princess Varvara, marrying the Russian prince Svyatopolk Izyaslavovich (in Holy Baptism Michael), brought with her to Kyiv in 1108 the relics of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara, where they and now they rest in the Vladimir Cathedral.
Varvara Iliopolskaya(+ approx.), great martyrOver time, rich and noble suitors began to come to Dioscorus more and more often, asking for his daughter’s hand in marriage. The father, who had long dreamed of Varvara’s marriage, decided to start a conversation with her about marriage, but, to his chagrin, he heard from her a decisive refusal to fulfill his will. Dioscorus decided that over time his daughter’s mood would change and she would have an inclination towards marriage. To do this, he allowed her to leave the tower, hoping that in communication with her friends she would see a different attitude towards marriage.
Once, when Dioscorus was on a long journey, Varvara met local Christian women who told her about the Triune God, about the ineffable Divinity of Jesus Christ, about His incarnation from the Most Pure Virgin and about His free suffering and Resurrection. It so happened that at that time there was a priest in Iliopolis, passing from Alexandria, who disguised himself as a merchant. Having learned about him, Varvara invited the presbyter to her place and asked to perform the Sacrament of Baptism on her. The priest explained to her the basics of the holy faith and then baptized her. Enlightened by the grace of Baptism, Varvara turned to God with even greater love. She promised to devote her whole life to Him.
In the absence of Dioscorus, construction of a stone bath was underway at his house, where workers, by order of the owner, intended to build two windows on the south side. But Varvara, having come one day to see the construction, begged them to make a third window - in the image of the Trinity Light (ikos 3). In the bathhouse where the bathhouse was being built, she drew a cross with her hand on the marble slabs (this drawing, along with Varvara’s foot print, was clearly visible and was preserved for a long time on the floor of the bathhouse; healing water flowed from the footprint after Varvara’s death). When the father returned and demanded an explanation from his daughter, Varvara replied that the three windows through which the light poured symbolized the Holy Trinity. Dioscorus was furious. He rushed at his daughter with a drawn sword, but Varvara managed to run out of the house (ikos 4). She took refuge in a mountain cleft, which miraculously opened up before her.
By evening, Dioscorus, on the instructions of a shepherd, nevertheless found Varvara and, beating him, dragged the martyr into the house (ikos 5). The next morning he took her to the city ruler and said: “I renounce her, because she rejects my gods, and if she does not turn to them again, she will not be my daughter. Torment her, sovereign ruler, as your will pleases.” For a long time the mayor tried to persuade Varvara not to deviate from the ancient laws of her fathers and not to resist her father’s will. But the saint, with her wise speech, exposed the errors of idolaters and confessed Jesus Christ as God. Then they began to beat her severely with ox sinews, and after that they rubbed the deep wounds with a hard hair shirt.
At the end of the day, Varvara was taken to prison. At night, when her mind was occupied with prayer, the Lord appeared to her and said: “Take courage, My bride, and do not be afraid, for I am with you. I look at your feat and ease your illnesses. Endure to the end, so that you will soon enjoy eternal blessings in My Kingdom." The next day, everyone was surprised to see Varvara: there were no traces of recent torture left on her body (ikos 6). Seeing such a miracle, one Christian woman named Juliana openly confessed her faith and expressed a desire to also suffer for Christ (kontakion 8). They began to lead both martyrs naked around the city, and then hanged them on a tree and tortured them for a long time (kontakion 9). Their bodies were torn with hooks, burned with candles, and hit on the head with a hammer (ikos 7). It was impossible for a person to survive such torture, but the martyrs were strengthened by the power of God. Remaining faithful to Christ, by order of the ruler, the martyrs were beheaded. Saint Barbara was executed by Dioscorus himself (ikos 10). But the ruthless father was soon struck by lightning, turning his body to ashes.
Sources
Information about the time and place of Varvara’s martyrdom has significant discrepancies. Some sources claim that Barbara suffered in the city under Emperor Maximin (235-238); it is possible that Maximin means Maximin Daya (Daza) (309-313). However, based on the evidence of most texts, the most likely date is the year, i.e. most likely Barbara suffered under the emperor Galerius Maximian (284-305, d. 311), co-ruler of the emperor Diocletian. In most Greek texts, including those of Symeon Metaphrastus, as well as in the Latin Life (published by B. Mombritius), the place of Barbara’s death is named Iliopolis (Heliopolis) (a city with this name is known in Asia Minor, Egypt and Phenicia (see Baalbek)) ; in the most ancient acts attributed to John of Damascus, Nicomedia is mentioned (this opinion was shared by the historian Uzuard and Adon, Archbishop of Vienne, and others indicate Tuscany), in later postscripts to the Martyrologies of the Blessed Jerome and the Venerable Bede - Rome or Antioch.
The circumstances of Varvara's conversion to Christianity remain unclear. Later editions of her life say that in the absence of her father, Varvara met some Christian women and was baptized by a presbyter who came to Iliopol. According to legend, which was not reflected in the most ancient lives of Barbara, her teacher was Origen.
Barbara is not mentioned in one of the oldest sources - the Martyrology of St. Jerome (c.). The earliest editions of the texts of the life of Barbara date back to the 7th century. The acts of Barbara attributed to the Monk John of Damascus and the laudatory word of the same author, anonymous lives, are known. The life of Barbara, written by John, Archbishop of Sardis, has been preserved. Her life is included in the collection of Symeon Metaphrastus and other minologies, starting from c. The Armenian life of Varvara and two Syrian lives have been preserved. The laudatory words of Arsenius, Archbishop of Kerkyra, George Grammaticus, Theodore Patricius (or Peter, Bishop of Argos), Nikita Protasikret (or Cosmas Vestitor), Theodore Prodromus and others are dedicated to Barbara.
In Rus', the life of Varvara became widespread, which came down in the lists of the 14th century, but was already known in the century: the author of the Tale of Boris and Gleb (about) compares the death of Boris on the orders of his brother with the death of Varvara at the hands of his father. This life became part of the Great Four Menyas. The Studiysko-Alexievsky Typikon prescribed the reading of the life (“torment”) of V. at matins. Judging by other surviving editions of the Studite Charter - the Messinian Typikon and the Evergetid Typikon of the 1st half of the 12th century. , referring to the life written by Simeon Metaphrastus. The Messinian Typikon also indicates the reading of the commendatory word of George Grammar, which is absent in the Russian lists.
Relics and veneration
A certain pious man Valentinian (Galentian, Valentinus) took the remains of Barbara and Juliana and buried them in the village of Gelasia, located 12 miles from Euchaitis in Paphlagonia. A temple was erected on this site, and the relics of the saints healed those suffering from leprosy. The monastery dedicated to Barbara was located in Edessa (Mesopotamia), where part of her relics was probably kept. In Constantinople, in the Basilisk quarter, Virina, the widow of the Byzantine emperor Leo the Great, had a magnificent temple built in her honor, which gave the whole quarter the name έν τη Βαρβαρά (i.e., the part of the city where St. Barbara is located). In the under the Byzantine emperor Justin (according to another version, back in the century), the relics of Barbara were transferred to Constantinople and placed in this temple. Here, according to the Synaxarion of the Church of Constantinople, the annual celebration of her memory was solemnly celebrated. According to the testimony of Anna Komnenos, in the church of St. The barbarians were saved as if they had been convicted of crimes in a place of refuge and were subject to the punishment of the law. Perhaps this explains the popular belief that St. Barbara was given grace from God to save her from sudden and violent death. This temple is mentioned in the Latin description of Constantinople in the 12th century. (“Anonymous Mercati”) and in the Walk of Anthony of Novgorod (1200), which also talks about the petrified breast of Varvara kept there, from which blood and milk oozed.
From the "Chronicon" of Andrea Dandolo it is known that most of the relics of Barbara were presented to the Doge of Venice on the occasion of the marriage of his son Giovanni Orseolo with Maria Argiropulina, a relative of the Byzantine emperor Basil II the Bulgarian Slayer and sister of Emperor Roman III Argyre. Previously, this marriage and, consequently, the transfer of the relics was attributed to various dates within the end - beginning of the century; Currently, this event is dated - year.
According to Western tradition, the relics, representing the incorruptible body of Barbara without a head, were placed in the church of St. John the Evangelist on the island of Torcello near Venice. They are described in the “Walk to the Florence Council” by the anonymous Suzdal scribe - Messrs. . Another part of the relics, brought from Constantinople to Venice by a certain Raphael, was kept in the church of Santa Maria del Croce. The head of Barbara, who remained in Constantinople, was seen in her church in - gg. Stefan Novgorodets.
According to Russian tradition, the saint's relics were brought from Constantinople to Kyiv by Varvara Komnena, the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Alexei I, who married Prince Svyatopolk Izyaslavich about a year later. They were laid in the Kiev St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery (built in). During the Mongol-Tatar invasion, the relics were hidden by clergy under the steps of a stone staircase, and subsequently they forgot about it. They were found several centuries later, placed with honor in the temple and became famous for their numerous healings. These events are known from a story written in the year by Theodosius Safonovich, abbot of the St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery. The hypothesis about the marriage of Svyatopolk with Varvara, the daughter of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos, which became widespread thanks to this story, is refuted by the latest research, which considers Varvara Komnenos a fictitious person and dates the compilation of the story about her to the 17th century in connection with the glorification of the relics of Varvara. Patriarch Macarius of Antioch, who visited Kyiv in the year, heard another legend about the transfer of relics to Kyiv in connection with the marriage of Princess Anna with Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich, the Baptist of Rus'. However, it seems most likely that the transfer of Varvara’s relics to Kyiv took place after the Mongol-Tatar invasion and during the period of weakening of the Byzantine Empire.
Veneration of St. Barbarians very soon became universal throughout Russia: already in the middle of the 12th century St. Gerasim transfers the icon of St. from Kyiv to the northern Vologda region. Barbarians along with other especially revered icons.
The left hand of Varvara, brought in the 17th century. to Western Ukraine by the Greek Alexander Musel, who came from the imperial Cantacuzin family, was kidnapped by the Jews, crushed and burned. The ashes and coral ring were kept in the cathedral church of the Apostle John the Theologian in the city of Lutsk, and then were transferred by Metropolitan Gideon (Chetvertinsky) to the Church of St. Sophia of Kyiv. In the 30s V. they were taken from the USSR by the Lipkovites and are now in Edmonton (Canada, Alberta).
In Moscow, in the Church of St. John the Warrior on Yakimanka, a part of Varvara’s finger with a ring, transferred from the church of the VMC, is honored. Barbarians on Varvarka. In the Church of the Resurrection of the Word in Filippovsky Lane (the courtyard of the Jerusalem Patriarchate) there is kept a particle of the relics of Barbara, donated to the courtyard by the Patriarch of Jerusalem Hierotheos (1875-1882).
Iconography
Barbara is one of the especially revered holy women, whose images were widespread in Byzantine art. One of the first surviving images of her is presented on a fresco in Santa Maria Antiqua in Rome, 705-707: the saint is depicted full-length with a cross in her right hand, her head is covered with maforia, under which a scarf is visible. In Byzantine art, the iconography of Barbara developed towards the century. Traditionally, the saint is depicted in richly decorated robes befitting her noble origin, wearing a white robe and a crown (or diadem) on her head, with a cross in her hand. There are images without a plate, only with a diadem (painting of the Boyana Church of St. Nicholas of Myra (Bulgaria), 1259; engraving of 1837 “Saints Spyridon, Modest, Ignatius and four saints” (Khilandar Monastery, Athos)) or without a crown and plate, with a covered head (1868 engraving, “Saints Paraskeva, Catherine, Barbara and Three Saints” (private collection, Athens)). Among selected saints, in monuments of applied art, in the hallmarks of hagiographic icons, Varvara can be represented, like other holy wives, in a maforia (on a silver crater, Vel. Novgorod, 12th century (NGOMZ); on an enamel necklace from St. Ryazan , late 12th century (GMMK); on the field of the icon “Our Lady of the Sign”, 1st half of the 13th century (house-museum of P. D. Korin)), and sometimes with a bare head (in the stamps of 2 hagiographic icons of the early 19th century) c. (CMiAR)).
Images: in Cappadocian temples - in the Church of John the Baptist in Cavusin, between 913 and 920; in the New Tokalikilise Church in Goreme, late 10th century; in Canlikilis in Akhisar, 11th century; in the Church of Varvara in Soganly, 2nd half. XI century; as well as in the narthex of the katholikon of the monastery of Hosios Loukas in Phokis (Greece), 30s. XI century; presumably in the Cathedral of Hagia Sophia of Kyiv, 1037-1045; in the church of St. Nicholas Kasnitsis in Kastoria, 12th century; in the Church of the Martyr. George in Kurbinovo (Macedonia), 1191; in the VMC church. Barbarians in Cypriotianika on the island of Kythira, late 13th century; Church of St. Apostles [Spas], Peć Patriarchate (Serbia, Kosovo and Metohija) mid-13th century; in the Church of Panagia in Purko on the island of Kythira, late 13th century; in the church of St. John Chrysostom in Geraki, late XIII - early XIV century; in the church of St. Demetrius in Purko on the island of Kythira, early 14th century; on the southwest pillar in the Church of Our Lady of Leviski in Prizren (Serbia), 1310-1313; on the northern wall of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary of the Gracanica Monastery (Serbia, Kosovo and Metohija), around 1320; on the Minology miniatures and in the Greco-Georgian manuscript.
Scene of torment: in miniatures the Minology of Basil II and the Minology of the Service Gospel; in the painting of the narthex of the Church of the Ascension of the Decani Monastery (Serbia, Kosovo and Metohija), 1348-1350. and the Church of the Holy Trinity of the Cozia Monastery in Wallachia (Romania), circa 1386.
In ancient Russian art, iconography follows established Byzantine patterns: the Church of the Savior on Nereditsa in Novgorod, 1198; icon 2nd half. XIV century, Central Rus' or the beginning of the XV century, Tver (?) (Tretyakov Gallery); in the Trinity chapel of the Church of the Savior on Ilyin, Feofan the Greek, 1378
In Western Christian art, Barbara was depicted with long flowing hair, with or without a crown. The main attributes of the saint are a tower, a torch, a cup (especially from the 15th century), an ostrich feather, a book, a figure of Dioscorus, and sometimes a cannon (for example, “Madonna with Barbara and Lawrence,” artist G. Morini. Museum of the City of Brera). Scenes of her torture were circulated.
Images: miniature in Passionale (Stuggart. Fol. 57, 114b, c. 1200); "Polyptych", artist S. di Pietro, 1368 (Museum of Pisa); "The Passion of Barbara", 1st. half of the 15th century (National Museum of Finland. Helsinki); "The Virgin Mary in a Dress with Ears", on the reverse "The Miracle of St. Benedict, Sebastian and Barbara", Austrian master, circa 1440–1450 (Pushkin Museum); "Saint Barbara", Westphalian master, around 1470/1480 (Pushkin Museum); "Barbara with a tower, cup, feather", engraving, around 1470/1480 (Engraving cabinet. Berlin); "Barbara with John and Matthew", artist C. Roselli (Accademia Gallery. Venice); "The Flight of Barbara", artist P. Rubens, circa 1620 (Dulwich College Gallery, London) and many others.
Prayers
Troparion, tone 8
Let us honor Saint Barbara:/ for you crush the snares of the enemy/ and, like a bird, get rid of them// with the help and weapon of the Cross, O all-honorable one.
Troparion, tone 4
The all-blessed lamb Varvaro,/ having been divinely illuminated by the Trisolar light of the Holy Trinity/ and having been established in the font/ in defeating the flattery of the fathers,/ you confessed your faith in Christ./ Thus, all Honest, grace from above has been given to you by God,/ to heal all ailments and diseases./ Pray to Him, Great Martyr, // may he save our souls.
Kontakion, tone 4
In the Trinity, piously sung, / having followed God, the passion-bearer, / you dulled the worship of idols; / in the midst of the struggle of the sufferer, Varvaro, / you were not afraid of the tormentors of rebuke, wise in courage ,/ singing loudly // I honor the Trinity, One Divinity..
Inventory of the Novgorod St. Sophia Cathedral. Novgorod, 1993. Issue. 2. pp. 39, 48
Book of walks. P. 174
Saint Barbara is our intercessor in Heaven. Her life is an example of the true faith for all Christians, a righteous and shameless death. Orthodox believers honor the saints as intercessors in Heaven, prayer books before God and an example of life in Christ; we turn to the saints in our prayers. Many, like the Holy Great Martyr Barbara, endured suffering and martyrdom for their faith. You can often find articles about people praying to Saint Barbara for salvation from sudden death, from unexpected disasters, despondency, and for the healing of children. Saint Barbara is often invoked by those whose loved ones are in danger, especially if this danger depends on someone’s evil will.
In fact, the Church considers it a ritual to pray to saints on certain occasions, and you can pray to Saint Barbara to help you get closer to a life of holiness and love for God. Read in our material the life of Saint Barbara, who was famous for her wisdom and beauty, accepted suffering and death for Christ at the hands of idolaters.
The Holy Great Martyr Barbara lived and suffered under Emperor Maximian (305-311). Read the article for details about the life, icons and prayers to the saint!
Holy Great Martyr Barbara: Life
Holy Great Martyr Barbara
Barbara's father, the pagan Dioscorus, was a rich and noble man in the city of Iliopolis in Phoenicia. Having become a widower at an early age, he concentrated all the strength of his spiritual affection on his only daughter.
Seeing the extraordinary beauty of Barbara, Dioscorus decided to raise her, hiding her from prying eyes. For this, he built a tower, where, besides Varvara, only her pagan teachers stayed. From the tower there was a view of the world of God above and below. During the day one could look at wooded mountains, at fast-flowing rivers, at plains covered with a colorful carpet of flowers; at night, the consonant and majestic chorus of luminaries presented a spectacle of inexpressible beauty.
Soon the girl began to ask herself the question about the Reason and Creator of such a harmonious and beautiful world. Gradually, she became stronger in the idea that the soulless idols - the creation of human hands, which her father and teachers worship, could not so wisely and magnificently arrange the world around her. The desire to know the true God so captured Varvara’s soul that she decided to devote her life to this and spend it in virginity.
And the fame of her beauty spread in the city, and many sought her hand in marriage, but she, despite her father’s gentle entreaties, refused the marriage. Varvara warned her father that his persistence could end tragically and separate them forever. Dioscorus decided that his daughter’s character had changed from her secluded life. He allowed her to leave the tower and gave her complete freedom in choosing friends and acquaintances. The girl met young confessors of the faith of Christ in the city, and they revealed to her the teachings about the Creator of the world, about the Trinity, about the Divine Logos. After some time, by the Providence of God, a priest came to Iliopol from Alexandria under the guise of a merchant. He performed the sacrament of Baptism over Varvara.
At that time, a luxurious bathhouse was being built at the house of Dioscorus. By order of the owner, the workers were preparing to make two windows on the south side. But Varvara, taking advantage of her father’s absence, begged them to make a third window, in the image of the Trinity Light. Above the entrance to the bath, Varvara drew a cross, which was firmly imprinted on the stone. On the stone steps of the bathhouse there was a trace of her foot, from which a spring gushed out, which later revealed great healing power, which Simeon Metaphrastus, describing the suffering of the holy martyr, compares with the life-giving power of the streams of the Jordan and the spring of Siloam.
When Dioscorus returned and expressed dissatisfaction with the violation of the construction plan, the daughter told him about the Triune God she had known, about the saving power of the Son of God and about the futility of worshiping idols. Dioscorus became furious, drew his sword and wanted to hit her. The girl ran from her father, and he rushed after her. Their path was blocked by a mountain, which parted and hid the saint in a chasm. On the other side of the chasm there was an exit to the top. Saint Barbara managed to hide in a cave on the opposite slope of the mountain. After a long and unsuccessful search for his daughter, Dioscorus saw two shepherds on the mountain. One of them showed him the cave where the saint was hiding. Dioscorus severely beat his daughter, and then took her into custody and starved her for a long time. Finally, he betrayed her to the ruler of the city, Martian. Saint Barbara was cruelly tortured: she was scourged with ox sinews, and her wounds were rubbed with hair shirt. At night in prison, the Savior Himself appeared to the holy virgin, fervently praying to her Heavenly Bridegroom, and healed her wounds. Then the saint was subjected to new, even more cruel tortures.
Among the crowd standing near the place of torture of the martyr was a resident of Iliopolis, Christian Juliana. Her heart was filled with sympathy for the voluntary martyrdom of a beautiful and noble girl. Juliana also wished to suffer for Christ. She began to loudly accuse her tormentors. She was captured. The holy martyrs were tortured for a very long time: they tormented their bodies with hooks, cut off their nipples, and led them naked around the city with mockery and beatings. Through the prayers of Saint Barbara, the Lord sent an Angel who covered the nakedness of the holy martyrs with luminous clothing. Saints Barbara and Juliana, strong confessors of the faith of Christ, were beheaded. Saint Barbara was executed by Dioscorus himself. God's retribution was not slow to befall both tormentors, Martian and Dioscorus: they were burned by lightning.
In the VI century. the relics of the holy great martyr were transferred to Constantinople. In the 12th century. the daughter of the Byzantine emperor Alexei Komnenos (1081-1118), Princess Varvara, marrying the Russian prince Mikhail Izyaslavich, transported them to Kyiv. They still rest in the Kiev Vladimir Cathedral.
Sermon by Archimandrite Kirill Pavlov on the day of remembrance of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara
On knowing God through looking at nature
The heavens proclaim the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of His hands.(Ps. 18:2). Lord our God! how majestic is Your name throughout the whole earth! Your glory extends above the heavens! When I look at Your heavens - the work of Your fingers, at the moon and the stars that You have set, what is man that You remember him, and the son of man that You visit him?(Ps. 8:2, 4-5) - thus, contemplating the beauty of the universe, the holy psalmist David glorified God. In the same way, through considering the beauty of created nature, the holy, all-praised, long-suffering Great Martyr Barbara came to the knowledge of God, whose memory, beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, is celebrated today by the Holy Church.
Saint Barbara suffered in the 4th century, during the reign of the wicked emperor Maximian. She was born and raised in a family of noble and wealthy parents, according to the pagan faith, in the city of Iliopolis, Phoenician. While still a baby, she lost her mother, and her upbringing was entirely in the hands of her father, Dioscorus, a zealous idolater. He tried to instill the same faith in the pagan gods in his daughter. Saint Barbara had extraordinary physical beauty, which amazed many. Therefore, in order to protect his daughter from bad influences and bad company, Dioscorus built for her a separate tower with all the amenities and various chambers and placed her there to live, so that she would not see any temptation and temptation. Being in solitude and away from any entertainment, Varvara carefully peered into the nature around her and fell in love with reflecting on its wondrous phenomena. From the height of her dwelling, Saint Barbara looked at the countless sparkling stars burning in the vault of heaven at night, and during the day - at the distant blue mountains, at the dark dense forests, at the green meadows, at the fast flowing rivers and streams - she looked at this and thought.
Her gaze was especially captivated in the spring, when she saw how the trees and gardens were covered with a beautiful green cover, the meadows were dressed with greenery and flowers, the air was filled with the singing of heavenly birds. “It cannot be,” she thought, “that this beautiful world could happen by itself or by chance, without the participation of reason. It cannot be that the gods whom we worship created it: they themselves were made by human hands from gold and silver.” Thinking like this, she came to believe that there is some kind of Almighty Intelligent Being who created this beautiful intelligent world, that there is an Invisible God.
And one day, when she was immersed in thoughts about the creation of the universe, the grace of God touched her pure heart and the Lord illuminated her inquisitive mind with His light - and she understood the Living True God, and from that time nothing occupied her anymore except the thought of Him . Meanwhile, many rich suitors heard about her beauty and began vying to woo her, and her father, Dioscorus, rejoiced that his daughter would soon get married. However, when he announced this to her, Saint Barbara categorically refused marriage, saying that she wanted to spend her whole life as a maiden. The father was perplexed by this answer to his daughter. He decided that he was to blame for this, imprisoning her in a secluded castle, which is why she wants to continue to live in solitude. Therefore, he allowed his daughter to go freely wherever she wanted and to communicate freely with all young men in the hope that she would change her thoughts. But this freedom served only for her spiritual benefit: God’s Providence arranged everything for her good and eternal salvation. At that time, she met many girls, secret Christians, who told her about Christ the Savior, about how through His suffering the whole world was saved. And her immaculate heart rejoiced with inexpressible joy upon hearing the gospel of the true God.
She expressed a desire to receive Baptism, which, by God’s grace, soon took place. The father left somewhere in a distant country, and a priest who arrived in Iliopolis from Alexandria under the guise of a merchant taught the holy maiden the secrets of the Christian faith and baptized her. Having received greater grace, Saint Barbara was filled with even greater love for the Lord Jesus Christ and thought of nothing else but Him. When her father arrived and found that his daughter worshiped the Crucified One and believed in Him, he was filled with unspeakable rage and wanted to kill her with his own sword, but flight and the help of God saved Saint Barbara from his hands that time. Then her father handed her over to the judge, accusing her of worshiping Christ: at that time a terrible persecution was instituted against Christians, and for the mere name of a Christian they were subjected to inhuman torment and torture.
The judge, after various admonitions and threats, seeing that the saint unshakably professed the Christian faith, subjected her to severe torture. Naked, she was mercilessly scourged, so that the ground was stained with the girl’s blood. After this, the executioners began to rub the fresh wounds with hair tissue, which caused incredible pain to the sufferer. Then she was thrown into prison, where she, exhausted and wounded, began to ask the Lord for consolation and help. And there, in prison, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself appeared to Barbara, healed her of all her wounds and strengthened her in patience for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.
After this, the saint was taken to torture again: they hung her on a tree and whittled her body with iron hooks, beat her on the head with iron hammers, and then cut off her breasts and then led her naked throughout the city. The last torture was the most difficult for the holy and chaste girl. She asked the Lord to protect her from the gaze of curious spectators, and the Lord sent His Angel, who immediately covered her nakedness with light-like clothing. After all this torment, the saint was condemned to be beheading with a sword, and this sentence was carried out by her own murderer father, who personally cut off his daughter’s head. This is how the holy Great Martyr Barbara ended her suffering feat for Christ.
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, from the biography of this great saint, one phenomenon in her spiritual life is especially edifying for us, namely, that she came to know God through viewing nature. She was raised in a pagan faith, no one taught her from childhood to believe in the true God, but through observation of nature she herself came to know Him.
And just as Saint Barbara came to know God through nature, so through looking at God’s creation each of us can come to know God.
Traces of God’s omnipotence and His ever-present power are imprinted on everything around us. Just as the footprint of man is clearly imprinted on the snow, so the footprint of God is clearly imprinted on all creation. Every wildflower, every blade of grass speaks of the omnipotence, wisdom and goodness of God. Look, dear ones, at any blade of grass - and you will see that the wisdom of God is in everything. The blade of grass is attached to the ground and cannot move, but it finds everything it needs in the soil itself, where its roots are nourished; With its leaves it breathes clean air and thus lives and exists. Who created it, who waters it with blessed rain, who nourishes it with the pure breath of air, who gives the flower its fragrance and color? How can a rose extract from the black earth its bright pink color, or a lily its brilliant whiteness? No artist, no scientist, no matter how skilled, can create such a fragrant flower. This is all the work of almighty God.
Next, let's look at the animals. They are born small and weak, unable to exist independently, but the Lord inspired mothers to take care of their children, so that the mother does not know peace until she raises her baby. Thus, traces of God’s care for His creation are visible in everything.
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, let us look more often at the beautiful world around us and through it come to know God and all that is good. Nature is the book of God, not written, but created, which every person, both literate and illiterate, can read, and always revere the Creator of the Universe. Whether the sun rises, whether the sky is dotted with bright stars, whether thunder rumbles, whether rain falls - bow before the greatness of God and give praise to the Almighty. Do the same when you look at the beauty of the world around you.
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, the holy Great Martyr Barbara, when she was going to her death, she asked the Lord for the gift of saving from illness and sudden death all who would remember her and her suffering. Let us pray to her today with all our hearts, that she, having looked upon all those gathered in this temple on the day of her memory, will save us from sudden death, so that, walking the path of repentance and correction, we may be worthy of future eternal life. Amen.
Holy Great Martyr Barbara
Sermon
Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, honorable fathers! We cordially congratulate you on our Patronal Feast, the Day of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara, in whose honor there is a chapel in our church, and a particle of her venerable relics rests by the Grace of God in our holy church.
The Holy Great Martyr Barbara lived in the 4th century, was born and raised in a noble pagan family and knew nothing about the true God, about spiritual life and the immortality of the soul, about faith in Christ. By God's Providence, Varvara's mother died when the child was 4 years old. And the widowed father concentrated all his love on his daughter. When Varvara grew up and became beautiful, her father locked her up in a high castle. Often looking from the height of the tower at the sky, observing the beauty of the stars, the moon and the sun, she thought about where this beautiful world, organized according to certain laws, came from. She thought: “If there were no Creator, then who would direct this world along a reasonable path of existence?” And so Varvara learned from creation to know the Creator. One day, disguised as a merchant, a priest arrived in their city, who revealed to her the secrets of the holy faith and guided her on the path of salvation.
The faith of the holy virgin Barbara was not accepted by her closest person, her own father Dioscorus. And the words of the Holy Scripture were fulfilled: “A man’s enemies are his own household.” Because where the truth comes, there it exposes lies, exposes injustice, exposes sin. And then a person, choosing the path of life, unwittingly comes into some kind of contradiction with the world, living, as the Apostle Paul said, in sin. So no amount of persuasion from Varvara led her father to faith; on the contrary, her father himself betrayed her to cruel torture. And we know that she endured a lot: incredible torture, severe suffering for Christ. Therefore, our Holy Orthodox Church named her a Great Martyr. The honorable remains of the holy great martyr, after she suffered torment, were transferred to the city of Constantinople, and in the 11th century - to Holy Rus', to the city of Kyiv, where they rest to this day in the Cathedral of St. Prince Vladimir.
The Holy Great Martyr Barbara, before her suffering, prayed to the Lord that every person who would call on her name in his prayers would be delivered from sudden death. What grace was requested by the Great Martyr Barbara! How we all need this. Everything in our life is fleeting, unsteady, unsteady. Therefore, our only hope is in God and His saints. The Lord said: “What I find you in, that is what I judge.” And the most important thing is that the Lord finds us in a clear conscience, reconciled with everyone. That is why in monasteries there is a pious custom every evening to ask the brethren and each other for forgiveness, because no one knows what the coming night has in store: today they fell asleep, but tomorrow, perhaps, they will not wake up. And the psalmist David says to us: “Let not the sun go down on your anger,” that is, we must try to make peace with everyone on this very day, before he is gone, and the page of our life turns over clean, without any burden from anything sinful in our soul and in our conscience. The Holy Great Martyr Barbara intercedes for people who are still far from the faith, so that they come to the knowledge of the truth and so that sudden death does not find them without repentance, without Communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.
When you and I honor the holy martyrs, each of us should not only be transported mentally to those ancient times, but each person should think to himself that the path of any Christian is the path of a martyr, either open or secret.
Nobody knows what our fate will be. But His Holiness Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Rus' said the following phrase at a meeting of the clergy of Moscow and the Moscow region: “We do not know in our troubled and difficult times how the events of our lives will unfold further, what forces will become the head of the state, but the Church under any conditions, it must stand on one thing: to bring light where there is darkness; bring truth where lies are; to bring love where there is division.”
And at the same time, we must always be prepared for what is said in the Apocalypse: the Antichrist will rule on earth for three and a half years. It is unknown whether we will live to see this time, maybe someone will join the ranks of martyrs, so we must remember now that “he who is unfaithful in a little is unfaithful in much.” If not for the Power and Grace of the Holy Spirit, no man will be able to endure torment if he ever has to suffer for Christ. Therefore, our Holy Mother Church, knowing that everything is accomplished from small things, prepares us for this throughout our entire lives. What is fasting for? So that a person can control his impulses, so that the soul is higher than the body, so that a person can control himself, and not the body controls a person. Morning and evening prayers are given by the Holy Mother of our Church, to which we must devote at least 10-15 minutes daily. Can’t we really devote some 10-15 minutes for God, for eternity, for the soul! As one of the saints said: “Praying is shedding blood.” And in fact, we find a thousand different things and excuses for ourselves just to avoid getting up to pray. And this is standing in faith, and this is where the martyrdom begins. On the New Year, each of us will also be tested as to whether he is faithful to Christ or not. There will also be a dilemma - as everyone else or as God commands. Only then there is no need to say, “where is God’s help,” “everything is falling out of hand.” Yes, because we don’t live according to God, we want it this way: both ours and yours. But this does not happen, and therefore God leads us to ensure that everyone constantly steps over selfishness, self-will, pride, pride, and sinful desires. And so, improving not by some great deeds, but day by day, by little things, we must confirm who we are: Christ’s or not.
Holy Rev. Barsanuphius of Optina said that the Colosseum, the stadium where dozens, hundreds of early Christian martyrs were tortured and killed, was devastated, but not destroyed. “Perhaps,” he said, “you will live to see the time when it will be renewed and renewed, and rivers of the blood of Christian martyrs will flow. God grant that you have the strength and strength to endure everything that befalls you.” So loyalty to Christ must be proven every day by your actions, and not just by words.
Many people think: “Why am I the only one bearing this cross?” And it is known that grumbling has never given strength in our everyday martyrdom (illnesses, sorrows, family troubles). But faith and gratitude to God for everything always gave me strength to bear the cross in a worthy manner. As Theophan the Recluse said: “Everyone will still have to bear the cross - both believers and non-believers - but it is better to carry it in a Christian way - with gratitude and devotion to the Will of God.” And we must remember the words from the Apocalypse of John the Theologian. When he saw thousands of people, martyrs, dressed in white robes, he asked the Angel: “Tell me, who are they and where did they come from?” And he answered: “These people came here (that is, to the Kingdom of God) out of great tribulation, but they made their robes white in the blood of the Lamb, and for this God leads them to living springs of water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more illness, no crying, no sighing, but life and endless joy.”
The name of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara is widely known and revered among Christians all over the world. Her short life path was riddled with cruel suffering for the faith and crowned with martyrdom, showing a courageous example of true love for God. This is eloquently evidenced by real facts from the life of the saint.
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Life of Saint Barbara
At the beginning of the 4th century in Iliopolis Phoenician (the territory of present-day Syria), a girl named Varvara was born into a rich aristocratic family. These were the times of the reign of the wicked Emperor Maximin, when society was entangled in strong networks of dark pagan morals. After the death of her mother, he took up raising Varvara. Father Dioscorus, a convinced pagan and an opponent of Christians. He zealously tried to convey his worldview to his daughter and raise her in the spirit of idolatry.
Knowledge of the Creator
Little Varvara was distinguished by her amazing beauty and great curiosity. When she grew up, her father, trying to protect the girl from prying eyes and unwanted influences, built for her a separate castle with many chambers, where Varvara had to spend day after day, without having no way to get out of prison.
So, being in complete solitude, the girl had no choice but to admire the world around her from the windows of the castle. At night, she looked with admiration at the shining stars in the endless sky, and when morning came, the outlines of blue mountains, dense forests, and winding rivers loomed before her beautiful gaze. Watching with great interest how the leaves bloom in the spring, the grass turns green, listening with trepidation to the joyful chirping of birds, Varvara thought every day that behind this beautiful reality there must certainly be the One who created this world and filled it with the breath of life.
The belief in soulless idols, in which the young recluse was brought up, could not satisfy her inquisitive mind. The girl understood well that the pagan gods are not capable of creating anything, since they themselves were created by human hands. Spending most of her time in such reflections, Varvara stubbornly was looking for an answer to a question that worried her. And then, finally, one day the mysterious grace of God touched her heart, and Varvara felt the invisible presence of the One whose existence she had guessed for so long.
Beginning of Christian life
Meanwhile, rumors about Varvara’s extraordinary beauty quickly spread, and many wealthy suitors expressed their desire to get the young beauty as a bride. Dioscorus rejoiced at this and hoped that his daughter would soon marry a rich man. However, the father’s attempt to discuss the upcoming marriage Varvara responded with a categorical refusal to bind oneself to someone in marriage by resolutely declaring that one is going to spend one's life as a girl.
Stunned by surprise, Dioscorus explained his daughter’s similar behavior to her young age and long-term solitude. Therefore, I decided to immediately correct my mistake and allowed Varvara to go out into the world, hoping that communication with other girls and young men would contribute to positive changes in her mind.
The further fate of the girl was mysteriously cared for by God's providence. Having been released, Varvara will soon met secret Christians, who revealed to her the teaching about Jesus Christ, about His earthly suffering, violent death and Resurrection. Varvara joyfully greeted the news of the Savior, without doubting the truth of the Christian faith and firmly deciding to accept the sacred at the first opportunity.
By a favorable coincidence of circumstances, Dioscorus was forced to leave the country for some time. At this time his daughter met a priest, who arrived from Alexandria disguised as a merchant. He explained in detail to Varvara the basics of the Christian faith, and then baptized her. Having finally become a Christian, the girl became even more confirmed in her intention to devote her life to God.
Martyr's Crown
Leaving, Dioscorus began construction of a new tower, which, according to the design, should have had two windows. Saint Barbara gave the builders another order, demanding that the building under construction be decorated with three windows as a sign of veneration of the Most Holy Trinity. When the father returned from a trip and asked his daughter to explain to him the motives for her action, she calmly revealed to him the main reason for such a decision, having taught the doctrine of the Triune God.
The distraught father, drawing his sword, attacked his own daughter in anger, wanting to kill her immediately. Varvara managed to escape and hide in a rock, which, through the saint’s prayer, miraculously opened up in front of her. Blinded by rage, the man was determined to find the fugitive at all costs. Having met two shepherds on the mountain, he learned that the girl had hidden in a cave. Having finally found his victim, Dioscorus is angry beat the unfortunate woman and took him into custody, deprived of any food.
After some time, Varvara was placed at the disposal of the city ruler Martinian, who was a zealous persecutor of Christians. In vain he tried to convince the girl to worship pagan idols, because Varvara responded to all his attempts with a decisive refusal, steadfastly professing her faith. Then, by his order, the young Christian woman was thrown into prison and subjected to the most brutal torture. The fearless captive patiently endured the torment, trying to drown out the physical pain by singing psalms.
At night, during a break between tortures, in prison to a young confessor The Lord Jesus Christ Himself appeared. He healed her bleeding wounds and asked what reward she would like to receive for her suffering. Varvara meekly replied that the goal of her whole life was to serve the Most Holy Trinity, and her deepest desire was that every person facing violent death and deprived of the Sacrament and the Holy would have the opportunity to turn to her with a request for help and intercession before Him. .
The people who witnessed the terrible torture of Varvara, as well as the torturers themselves, were extremely surprised to see the next day the young prisoner in full health and without any traces of previous torment. Under the influence of this miracle, a Christian named Juliana came out from the crowd in support of Varvara, and she also openly began to confess Christ in front of everyone.
Both girls were immediately subjected to the most sophisticated bullying, but nothing could shake their faith. The Lord secretly supported his faithful children, helping them to endure all trials in a dignified manner. And when the clothes of the Christian women were torn off, through the prayers of Saint Barbara, a Heavenly Angel appeared and covered them with a radiant robe. At the end of their torment, the young confessors were beheaded.
Varvara's executioner was her own father. After the execution of Dioscorus and Martinian, retribution immediately overtook them - they were struck by lightning and turned to ashes.
General veneration of Saint Barbara
After her martyrdom in 306, the body of Saint Barbara was buried in her hometown Iliopol the pious Galentian, who, as a sign of memory and deep veneration of the selfless Christian, erected a church over her grave.
Miraculous relics
In the 6th century, the relics of the Great Martyr Barbara were transferred to Constantinople. The temple in which they were kept became a refuge for those who were hiding from persecution on charges of crimes and prayed to the holy saint for protection and deliverance from violent death.
In 1108 the holy relics were transported to Kyiv, where they rested until the beginning of the 20th century in the St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery, founded by the Grand Duke Svyatopolk, baptized by Michael. According to historians, numerous epidemics that periodically occurred in the country and affected the people en masse did not penetrate the walls of the holy monastery, despite the large number of pilgrims.
The reliquary with the relics of St. Barbara has many people received miraculous healings. Some believing parishioners placed various objects - crosses, rings - next to the shrine, believing that in this place things acquired healing powers.
At the beginning of the 18th century, Metropolitan Joasaph of Kiev wrote an akathist to the Great Martyr, which is still sung in front of her tomb.
In the 30s, the monastery was destroyed by the Bolsheviks, and the precious shrine was transferred to the museum. Now the relics of Saint Barbara are still in Kyiv, resting in the Vladimir Cathedral.
Icons with the face of the Great Martyr
There are a large number of icons depicting the Great Martyr Barbara. The two most common images of her are:
- The image of a holy woman with a crucifix in her hand, with which she seems to bless those praying.
- An image of Saint Barbara holding a Chalice, symbolizing the source of eternal life.
It should be noted that the Great Martyr Barbara is the only saint depicted with a Chalice in her hand. Similar images with the Holy Chalice can only be found on the icons of St. John of Kronstadt.
This the image has a deep meaning. The prayer of Barbara the Great Martyr before the Holy See has great power to help those who are afraid of suddenly passing away without the necessary preparation. Believers turn to her in the hope of finding God's special mercy, which makes it possible, before moving on to eternal life, to cleanse the soul with repentance and partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.
The memory of Varvara of Iliopol is celebrated by the Orthodox Church December 17 according to the new style.
Invisible help
Even during the earthly life of Saint Barbara, the Lord honored His chosen one with a Personal visit and a promise to fulfill her cherished desire to help people. Having accomplished the feat of Christian self-denial and accepted martyrdom, the crowned confessor continues her service to God and fervently prays for those who need her help.
What do they pray to Saint Barbara for?
Since the Baptism of Rus', the Great Martyr Varvara has become one of the most beloved and revered saints on Russian soil. A huge number of believers strive to fall before her incorruptible relics in the hope of receiving help and healing. People turn to the holy saint with a variety of requests, firmly believing that she will certainly help. But most often they resort to the Great Martyr Barbara with the following petitions:
Varvara Iliopolskaya’s help is often called upon by people who find themselves in extremely difficult or life-threatening situations when the only hope left is for a real miracle.
In many households you can find prayers to St. Barbara the Great Martyr. They are read during various temptations, sorrows, and emotional experiences. Girls who are in search of a betrothed are helped by a prayer to St. Barbara for marriage. Mothers who truly care about their children read a prayer for their children every day in front of the image of the Great Martyr.
Heavenly protection
There is a certain category of people who are representatives of dangerous professions and daily risk facing sudden death. They need the special protection of Saint Barbara and should offer their prayers to her as often as possible.
Since 1998, Saint Barbara has been officially a celestial patroness of the Russian Missile Forces strategic purpose, which were formed on December 17, 1959 and celebrate their professional holiday on the Day of Remembrance of the Great Martyr. And in 2002, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Rus' gave his blessing to honor Saint Barbara as the patroness of all branches of the Russian mining industry.
When turning to the saints of God for help, it is necessary to remember that they are a strong connecting thread between man and God, and it is thanks to their prayers that people receive what they ask for, because the Lord always hears the prayers of the righteous. And in order not to find yourself unworthy of their heavenly guardianship, it is necessary to make certain efforts for your own spiritual growth and selflessly serve God and people, as the Holy Great Martyr Barbara has always done and continues to do.
