The Patron Saint Barbara
What is the definition and the meaning of the
Patron Saints and why were these people chosen to become patrons of causes,
professions and countries? The term 'Patron' is used in Christian religions,
including the Roman Catholic religion, to describe holy and virtuous men and
women who are considered to be a defender of a specific group of people or of a
country. There is a patron for virtually every cause, country, profession or
special interest. There are two categories of saints: martyrs and confessors. A
martyr is one who is put to death for his Christian faith or convictions.
Information about Saint Barbara
Who or what is Saint
Barbara the patron saint of?
Saint Barbara is the patron of Artillerymen, explosives and lightning. Meanings,
definition and origins - a patron is considered to be a defender of a specific
group of people or of a nation. There is a patron for virtually every cause,
profession or special interest. Prayers are considered more likely to be
answered by asking a patron for intercession on their behalf.
The Story and History
of Saint Barbara
The story and history of Saint Barbara. Barbara lived in Nicomedia and was the
beautiful daughter of Dioscorus who imprisoned her in a high tower due to her
disobedience. Whilst imprisoned in the tower her studies led her to Christianity
and she converted to the faith. Her father denounced her to the authorities who
ordered that Dioscorus should kill her. He first tortured her and then killed
her by beheading. It is said that he was then struck dead by a bolt of
lightening.
Death of Saint
Barbara
There are two categories of saints: martyrs and confessors. A Christian martyr
is regarded as one who is put to death for his Christian faith or convictions.
Confessors are people who died natural deaths. Date of Death: Saint Barbara died
in 303. Cause of Death: Beheaded.
She was venerated as early as the seventh century. The
legend of the lightning bolt which struck down her persecutor caused her to be
regarded as the patron saint in time of danger from thunderstorms, fires and
sudden death.
Why is Saint Barbara
the patron of Artillerymen, explosives and lightning?
Why is Saint Barbara is the patron of Artillerymen, explosives and
lightning? St. Barbara is invoked against tempest and lightning, and all
explosions of firearms and gunpowder, because, according to the legend, after
her father had followed her into the mountains and cut off her head for
embracing Christianity, a fearful tempest with thunder and lightning arose, and
God caused a fire to descend upon him, in which he was utterly consumed. She is
also invoked against sudden death; those who are devoted to her believing that
they will never die impenitent, or without having first received the Sacraments.
How Saint Barbara is
represented in Christian Art
It is helpful to be able to recognise Saint Barbara in paintings, stained glass
windows, illuminated manuscripts, architecture and other forms of Christian art.
The artistic representations reflect the life or death of saints, or an aspect
of life with which the person is most closely associated. St. Barbara, in
Christian Art, differs from every other female saint, by carrying the
Sacramental cup and wafer. The tower in which her father confined her is always
associated with her in one form or another. Sometimes it is a massy building in
the background; at others she is leaning upon it; not infrequently she holds a
miniature representation of it in her left hand. The sword in her right hand is
the symbol of her martyrdom. When the tower does not appear in her left hand,
its place is occupied by a copy of the Gospels.
Feast Day of Saint Barbara
The Feast Day of Saint Barbara is December 4th. The origin of Feast Days: most
saints have specially designated feast days and are associated with a specific
day of the year and these are referred to as the saint's feast day. The feast
days first arose from the very early Christian custom of the annual
commemoration of martyrs on the dates of their deaths at the same time
celebrating their birth into heaven.
