Great martyr · 3rd–4th century
Barbara
Greatmartyr Barbara of Heliopolis in Syria
New Calendar December 4 Old Calendar December 17
Why they are a saint
Barbara was virgin martyr of Heliopolis; her own father handed her over. She is asked for protection against sudden death, lightning, and dangerous work. The years given for this life are 3rd–4th century. The New Calendar feast is December 4.
Life
Saint Barbara lived in Heliopolis in Syria in the reign of the emperor Maximian. Her father Dioscorus, a rich pagan, kept her in a tower to hide her beauty. Contemplating the beauty of creation, she came to see that idols made by human hands could not have made the world, and she longed to know the true Creator.
Through Christian maidens she learned of the Holy Trinity and of Christ, and a priest from Alexandria secretly baptized her. While her father was away, she had a third window added to his new bathhouse, forming a Trinity of light, and traced a cross on its wall. When she confessed her faith, she was handed over to cruel tortures, and Christ appeared to her and healed her wounds. A Christian woman of the city, Juliana, denounced the torturers and suffered with her.
Both were beheaded; Dioscorus himself executed his daughter, and he was afterwards killed by lightning. Her relics were taken to Constantinople in the sixth century and about six hundred years later to Kiev, where they rest in Saint Vladimir's Cathedral.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
Many Orthodox Christians sing her troparion daily, recalling the promise that those who remember her sufferings will be preserved from a sudden, unexpected death and will not depart this life without the Holy Mysteries.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Traditionally asked to pray for sudden / unprepared death, miners, artillerymen, dangerous occupations. The reason for this custom is not recorded here.
Prayer
O holy Barbara, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.
Do not confuse with Nun-martyr Barbara; other Barbaras.