Fast, concise facts and information about Saint Barbara The following provides fast and concise facts and information: - The patron of the Navy, Artillerymen, explosives and lightning
- Memorial Day / Feast Day: December 4th
- Date of Death: Saint Barbara died in 303
- Cause of Death: Beheaded
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. 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. |