The story of Saint Barbara is both unusual and yet typical of the the early centuries of the Christian Era, when Jews and Christians were persecuted for their beliefs, by an uncomprehending Roman Empire. Dioscorus, the father of Barbara, was a prominent and wealthy Pagan, who valued his daughter as a prized possession. To “protect” her from monotheistic influences, he shut her up in a tower and provided her with all the luxuries of the day and instructed her in his Pagan beliefs.
Although Barbara was never allowed out of her “gilded cage”, she managed to learn of Christianity – perhaps, through her servants, perhaps through correspondence with Origen, one of the earliest Christian theologians.
Although Barbara was never allowed out of her “gilded cage”, she managed to learn of Christianity – perhaps, through her servants, perhaps through correspondence with Origen, one of the earliest Christian theologians.
Much of Saint Barbara's life remains obscured by Time.
The actual circumstances of
her martyrdom have become subject to many different interpretations, but one is widely accepted.
When Dioscorus learned of his daughter’s conversion to Christianity, he turned her over to the authorities. She was arrested, possibly tortured and then executed.
Most sources agree that it was her own father, Dioscorus, who actualy killed her. He was then immediately hit by lightning and died.
Such is the legend of Saint Barbara.
The actual circumstances of
her martyrdom have become subject to many different interpretations, but one is widely accepted.
When Dioscorus learned of his daughter’s conversion to Christianity, he turned her over to the authorities. She was arrested, possibly tortured and then executed.
Most sources agree that it was her own father, Dioscorus, who actualy killed her. He was then immediately hit by lightning and died.
Such is the legend of Saint Barbara.