In the IV century shone from the distant city of Heliopolis (now Syria), confessor of the true teachings of the Church of Christ - Great Martyr Barbara, holy, day of remembrance which the Orthodox Church observes December 17th.Seventeen centuries inspires her way, setting an example of true faith and love for God.Prayer of St. Barbara makes a huge number of believers.What do we know about her life on earth?
daughter pagan Dioscorus
In those days, when there was a light on the future saint, the residents of Heliopolis, one of the largest cities in Mesopotamia, were buried in the darkness of paganism.Man-made gods worshiped and noble citizens, and the urban poor.Among the most wealthy and respected citizens was a certain Dioscorus.Generous reward its fate.There were at his house, vineyards and many servants.Only one misfortune visited his home - dead beloved wife Dioscorus.He is deeply grieved for her and found solace only in his only daughter.It was the future saint Barbara.
father dearly loved the child and did everything in his power to isolate her from the ugly side of life.In addition, he wanted to give Barbara married the rich husband, thus ensuring her happiness and prosperity.Wanting to save the beautiful daughter from prying eyes, but also, and from the opportunity to communicate with secret Christians, which began to appear in the city, Dioskoros built for her castle, where she lived with her maids and carers.Comes out of it she could only occasionally, accompanied by his father.
Contemplation of God's creation
long hours she spent alone at the window of his room, absorbed in contemplation of the beautiful nature surrounding the castle.Once St. Barbara wanted to learn from their mentors, who created all this splendor, striking look.Her educator was a pagan, and therefore attributed to the creation of the world of wood and clay gods worshiped.In doing so, they tried to convince the young recluse.
But this explanation has not satisfied the Barbarian.She replied to them, saying that their deity could not create anything, because they themselves are made by human hands.It must be the highest Creator, united and powerful, having your own being.Only he is capable of creating the world, to bring in a similar beauty.So it is an example of comprehension of the Creator through his creation.
marriage proposal
Eventually Dioscorus began to go and see the rich suitors who have heard about the beauty of his daughter and wished her marriage bond.Father did not want to decide anything, do not know the opinion of his daughter, but, turning to her with such talk, I met her resolute refusal to engage with someone in a marriage.It upset him, but Dioscorus attributed this decision youth and wayward daughters of nature.
To give her the opportunity to get acquainted with other girls and talking to them, to change his mind, he allowed his daughter to leave the castle when she pleases.It was just something so wished Barbara.She began to frequent the city, and once, when his father was in a long-term trip, met with the secret Christians living in Heliopolis.They told her about the Triune God, the incarnation of Jesus Christ of the Blessed Virgin, his atoning sacrifice, and still very much about what she did not know before.This teaching is deeply sunk into her heart.
Baptism Barbara
After some time, the city turned out to be a Christian priest who disguised as a merchant heading to Alexandria.At the request of the girl, he made at her baptism.In addition, it is more fully explained it the Christian doctrine that immediately and unconditionally accepted Varvara.She vowed to devote his whole life to God.
Wanting to capture the image of the Holy Trinity, she ordered in the new tower, the construction of which, leaving, her father began, made two windows, as planned in the project, but three.When my father came home, he asked her daughter about the cause of action, it does not dissemble, told him the doctrine of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.Hearing such words, a pagan father was so furious that he gave up his daughter, drawing his sword.She was able to escape only to escape, hiding in the cleft of the rock, which is in front of her miraculously parted.
prison and torture holy
Dioscorus was so blinded by fanatical pagan, he drowned in it all my father's feelings.By the end of the day he still managed to catch the fugitive.He handed it to the governor of the city, so that he threw her into prison.The poor girl was in the hands of ruthless executioners.But I do not flinch in front of them Varvara, as in all those who take refuge in God's help.At night, when she fervently prayed, the Lord appeared to her, comfort her and give hope for a speedy attainment of the kingdom of heaven.
Courage Barbara doubled.Looking at her, a secret Christian, openly declared his faith in Christ and expressed a desire to suffer with it.Taking the crown of martyrdom, both of them were beheaded.
veneration of St. Barbara in Russia
After three hundred years, the power of the Holy Great Martyr were transferred to Constantinople, and in the XII century, they were in Kiev.They brought with them the daughter of the Byzantine emperor, marrying Russian Prince Michael II of Kiev.There they are kept to this day.From the day of the Baptism of Rus we revered Great Martyr Barbara.Holy help all who faithfully drawn to her.Particular care has it to those who ask get rid of sudden death and is afraid to leave the earthly life without repentance.Moreover, in other cases, it helps Barbara: holy saves from inadvertent trouble.Since ancient times, I noticed that the plague, which often happens in Russia always avoided by those churches in which there were her strength.Saint Barbara, the icon that is in almost every Orthodox church - one of the most revered and beloved saints in our country.Many people do not know the history of her earthly life, according to her Russian.By the way, the name itself in the past it was very common in Russia.
Many in the Christian world is erected in her honor temples and monasteries.There is a church of St. Barbara in Moscow.It is very ancient.Its creation belongs to the XVI century.It is situated not far from the Kremlin, on the street, which is called - Barbarian (on behalf of the Barbarian).This holy in ancient times was considered one of the Protecting trade.Therefore, place it chose the church where there were numerous shopping arcade.
