The Princess of Alexandria, now revered as Saint Catherine, is dearly loved by both Catholics and Orthodox believers. The biography of this girl is amazing, who, having experienced a meeting with Christ himself, changed her life and suffered martyrdom for him.
Brief biography of the great martyr
Saint Catherine had a beautiful appearance, the girl received an excellent education, she knew several languages, and was interested in rhetoric and philosophy. Having studied many smart books, the girl at one point decided that she would never start a family or get married. It seemed to her that the men who claimed her hand and heart were unworthy. Not smart, beautiful, noble and rich enough.
The queen said that she would marry someone who would surpass her in these qualities. And, looking ahead, it is worth saying that she found such a young man. Despite her good education, the queen knew little about Christianity. When her mother took her to an elder who professed this religion, Catherine was surprised by his stories and imbued with the mystery of faith.
Origin
The saint was from a noble family - the Queen of Alexandria. Nothing more can be said about the girl’s origins. Her mother, which is known for certain, had a noble origin and believed not in pagan gods, but in Christian ones.
Life and deeds
The Queen of Alexandria believed that she could not find a husband among earthly men. She was not distinguished by pride, only intelligence, eloquence and beauty. When her mother introduced her to the elder, Catherine was shocked by his stories about the young man who was superior to the queen in all characteristics. This young man was Christ.
The girl did not know that the elder was telling her about a man who was no longer on earth. She decided to meet him, asking the elder to introduce her to the young man. The sage said that it was possible to meet the young man, but for this he would have to ask permission from his mother. He gave Catherine an icon and told her to read prayers in front of it so that the Mother of God would allow her to see her son. Catherine took the elder’s words literally. She brought the image, knelt before it and began to read prayers.
That same night, the image of a woman with a child in her arms appeared to her, but the baby turned his face away from the girl. Catherine continued to read prayers; she believed that she could persuade the young man to communicate with her. A few days later, she again had a dream - a child sitting in her mother’s arms told her that she was ugly and stupid. She should ask the elder to teach her literacy and the sacraments of Christianity - so said the Lord. Catherine turned to the sage with a request to teach her the Christian faith. The sage helped the queen and taught her everything she needed to know.
After the teaching, Catherine again prayed to see a wonderful young man in a dream, and he came to her. Christ no longer hid his face, he spoke to the girl, smiled at her, then asked for his left hand and put a ring on his finger. God called her his bride. Catherine decided to devote herself to serving the Lord, but Emperor Maximian intervened in her plans. He came to the city and staged a stormy celebration, sacrificed animals, slaughtered cattle in front of idols.
The blood and loud cries of the animals being led to slaughter irritated the queen. She decided to stop the holiday and came to the temple to the pagans herself. Maximian was shocked by the beauty of the girl, but her speeches and words caused him great anger. He ordered to gather the sages and bring 50 of the best to the temple so that they would bring the stupid queen to reason. When the wise men came, each of them tried to convince Catherine, to prove that they were right with a word. But for every question and clever saying, the queen answered with a quote from the works of philosophers. Having surpassed all her opponents in eloquence, the girl proved that she was right.
The sages admitted defeat and asked Catherine to teach them the Christian faith. This infuriated the emperor. He ordered the queen to be seized and imprisoned until she came to her senses.
Maximian's comrades easily tied up the girl and sent her to prison. The emperor ordered the captive to be left without water or food and left. While the girl was kept in captivity, the Lord helped her; he took the form of a dove and brought her food and clean water. All this time Catherine prayed. One day, while the emperor was away, his wife, Augusta, came to the girl. She had already seen the empress in a dream and told her about the tragic, martyrdom. Augusta was accompanied by Porfiry, the emperor's assistant. Catherine told him about what awaited him.
Death and canonization
When Maximian returned, he ordered the captive to be brought to him, but imprisonment did not break her faith. This infuriated the emperor, and he ordered the execution of the captive. Augusta stood up for the girl, she begged for mercy and began to ask her husband to let Catherine go. Maximian declared that his wife was unfaithful to him and should be executed. He ordered the box to be filled halfway with tin, and nails to be hammered into the lid.
He put his wife in this box and began to torture him, continuing until blood flowed in a stream. All this time, Augusta prayed for the salvation of her soul, crying out to Christ, and not to the pagan gods. Porfiry could not stand such a spectacle; he fell on his knees before the emperor and asked for mercy on Augusta. Maximian cut off the head of his wife, and then his assistant.
He came up with a terrible death for Catherine, ordering two wheels to be connected together. They were supposed to rotate in different directions and tear the girl’s body into small pieces. But when Catherine was tied to the structure, an angel came down from heaven. He destroyed the emperor's building. Pieces of wheels flew in different directions and hit the infidels.
This did not stop the emperor, and he cut off the girl’s head. When this happened, not blood flowed from the wound, but milk. Angels picked up dead Catherine and took her to Mount Sinai. Three centuries later, the relics of the saint were discovered by three monks. They dreamed that the body of the bride of Christ was walled up in the mountain. The remains they discovered were practically untouched. Since then, Catherine has been revered as a saint.
The Uncooperative Bride
It is known that the childhood of young Dorothea, who grew up in a family of rich and respected pagans, was happy and truly cloudless. Her parents tried not to deny her anything and indulge her slightest whims. When the girl grew up and it was time to study, the best teachers were invited to her, who later noted her extraordinary intelligence and ability to assimilate the material she had learned.
A sharp mind and an excellent memory were combined in the girl with extraordinary beauty, which can sometimes be seen in the icons of the Great Martyr Catherine, so familiar to most believers. This feature of hers, which was very advantageously combined with the wealth of her parents, and consequently with her future dowry, attracted the most eligible suitors to Dorothea. The bride, who knew her worth, refused everyone under the simple pretext that she did not see a worthy chosen one among them.
Meaning in Orthodoxy
Saint Catherine proved by personal example that faith in God will help in difficult times. As the girl Augusta said, there is no need to be afraid, because death accepted in the name of Christ is not terrible, no matter how martyrdom it may be.
Favors:
- For lovers and married couples.
- Helps lonely and desperate people.
Understanding the basics of Christianity
The icons of the Holy Great Martyr Catherine, photos of which are presented in the article, show us the image of an unyielding follower of Christ’s teachings, but such a high spiritual growth of the young virgin was preceded by a certain period. It began with Dorothea's visit to a Syrian desert monk who was hiding from his pagan persecutors in one of the remote caves.
Dorothea was brought to him by her mother, who secretly professed the teachings of Christ. Since on the icons of St. The Great Martyr Catherine is usually depicted against the backdrop of a hilly and lifeless desert landscape; one can assume that this is exactly what the area looked like, surrounded by which her spiritual growth took place. A similar example is given above.
The hermit taught the young virgin the basics of true teaching and told her that there is only one groom in the world - Jesus Christ, who should open his heart. Saying goodbye, he presented his student with an icon depicting the Queen of Heaven and taught her to prayerfully ask for intercession from Her Eternal Son.
What can you ask for in front of the image of a martyr?
What did the great martyr want? She said that she was looking for an equal. A husband who would surpass her in all characteristics.
Patronage of relationships and marriage
First of all, you need to ask the saint to help you find a worthy companion or life partner. Girls and boys who have not yet gotten married ask for this.
You can ask Catherine to strengthen family relationships, help save the marriage, the saint will help.
Helps in getting rid of loneliness
Not everyone likes living alone. Catherine can help you meet a companion who will be your support. An understanding, kind person will match all the spiritual qualities of the person asking.
Believe in Christ
You can’t argue with the fact that the queen, having converted to Christianity, sincerely believed in God. She carried this faith and kept it until her death. Catherine was not afraid of death; she was strengthened by the belief that God would help in difficult times. If a person is desperate and is in a difficult situation, then he should read a prayer to St. Catherine.
Akathist to Saint Catherine
For those who suffer from loneliness and want to get happily married, the martyr Catherine (December 7 - Memorial Day) will help solve problems in family life. To do this, you need to read the Akathist to this saint for 40 days. Before this, you can contact the clergyman for a blessing. Subsequently, the wishes of such people are fulfilled, and they find their soul mate. Catherine was betrothed to Christ himself, she hears and asks before him for those who dream of tying themselves in marriage. The Lord does not reject married life and will bless families according to the representation of the saint of God.
Lyrics
They will help to give memory and glory to the Great Queen, who sincerely believed in Christ and accepted death for him.
Prayer
There are several prayers that will help in difficult situations. You can contact Saint Catherine with them.
First
O Saint Catherine, virgin and true bride of Christ. We pray to you for the salvation of our souls (names of petitioners). Great Queen, who suffered martyrdom, grant us faith and deliver us from doubts. Illuminate us (names) with Your wisdom, deliver us from temptations and contempt, we trust in Your mercy. Help to destroy the machinations of enemies, just as You destroyed the machinations of the hellish tormentor and overcame all trials. Grant mercy and help us accept the will of our Lord, Amen.
Second
I pray to You, Holy Virgin, martyr and bride of Christ, help me, the servant of God, to find faith in the miracle of the Lord. Prove and show me Your strength. Help me, in this hour of loneliness and despair, not to lose faith, but to strengthen it. Do not leave me in difficult times, enlighten me and guide me on the true path. Deliver me from torment and suffering, strengthen the strength of my soul and cleanse me from bad thoughts and deeds. Amen. Now forever and ever.
Third
Wise and merciful Saint Catherine, help me not to lose heart in the hour of despair. Grant us the strength and courage to accept the will of the Lord. Save our souls, protect us from torment and show us (the names of the petitioners) Your wisdom. Bride of Christ, virgin and martyr, protect our families from destruction and help us with Your grace, show it to us. Hear our prayers and heed them, we ask you, Saint Catherine. Amen.
Troparion
With virtues, like the rays of the sun, she enlightened everything to the unfaithful sages, and, like the bright moon, she walked in the night, dispelled the darkness of ignorance and assured the queen of Her rightness. And YOU, Saint Catherine, exposed the tormentor. Your wish was fulfilled and you ended up in the palace, to your bridegroom - our Lord. The angels picked up Your body. We glorify the image and deeds of the Saint and Martyr Catherine the Great.
Kontakion
Raise up an honest Divine face, O tormentor, now, who revere the wise Catherine, for this was the sermon at the funeral feast of Christ, trampling down the serpent, having tamed the minds of the rhetoricians.
Akathist
Let us sing with songs of praise the chosen and crowned virgin, the martyr, the bride of Christ Catherine, as the victorious tormentor and the wise teacher of philosophers: you, Great Martyr Catherine, who had the boldness of the Lord, be imbued with mercy to those who ask for good from you. Rejoice, Catherine, wise bride of Christ.
The face of the holy and great martyr, Queen Catherine, will help a person cope with difficulties, overcome misunderstanding and loneliness. In a difficult situation, it will strengthen faith and relieve despair.
Prayers before the icon
There are several prayers that are read in front of the icon of Catherine of Alexandria.
Troparion, tone 4
The Troparion commemorates the forgiveness of original sin. People are free from the mistakes of the past thanks to the sacrifice of Christ. By reading this prayer, we help draw the Lord's attention to our lives.
Kontakion, tone 2
The theme of the resurrection of Christ continues here. An episode is mentioned when the Son of God descended into the underworld and freed all those who lived before His coming to earth. By making this prayer, we remember the sacrifice of Christ and all the saints before Him and after Him.
Kontakion, voice 3
Kontakion is always read not only for the help of the Almighty, but also often in honor of His thanksgiving. Even He is pleased when people thank Him for the miracles He performs. This is how He understands that He is not forgotten by people and continues to carefully protect everyone.
First prayer
Short version. Read before a great event. Usually in the morning or evening hours. In it we ask that the Lord bless our labors both in everyday life and in spiritual life.
Second prayer
Also read when a person needs the blessing of the Almighty. After all, only He has the power to take away adversity from us and bring our souls closer to the Heavenly Kingdom. For prayer to help, you need to understand its content.
Prayer three
Don't forget to thank the Lord and the saints for their miracles. Don’t be consumers, because a kind word of gratitude makes everyone happy. It is recommended to pray several times a week.
RECOMMENDED: Prayer “Seven Crosses” for the whole family.
Wise Maiden
When Catherine tried to carry out her plan and turned to the emperor, he was somewhat puzzled by the highly philosophical meaning of her words and, not having the habit of discussing such topics, resorted to the help of the priests accompanying him. However, no matter how they tried to refute their opponent’s statements, they were defeated by the weight of the arguments she presented. It is characteristic that on some icons the Great Martyr Catherine (photo presented in the article) is depicted holding in her hands an unrolled scroll, traditionally a symbol of wisdom.
Miracle at the top of Sinai
The discovery of the incorruptible relics of the Great Martyr Catherine took place 300 years later. The abbot of the monastery, located at the foot of the mountain to which the angels once carried the body of God’s saint, was ordered by an unknown voice to climb with the brethren to the top where the shrine rests. Without hesitation, the monks set off on their journey and, rising up among the clouds, discovered the body of the great martyr, untouched by decay for the entire period that had passed since the day of execution. It was not difficult to identify him by the ring preserved on his hand.
Having gone down, the monks transferred the relics they had acquired to their monastery. Today they rest in the marble shrine of the Sinai Monastery, founded and named in her honor (photo above). There, pilgrims can also venerate the main icon of the Great Martyr Catherine of Alexandria, in which a reliquary (a special capsule for storing the relics of saints) with her finger is mounted.
Gift of the Heavenly Bridegroom
Returning home and feeling tired from the long journey, Catherine sank down on her bed and barely closed her eyes when the Queen of Heaven appeared to her again with Her Eternal Son. But this time, turning His face to her, Jesus with a gentle smile handed the girl a ring, or rather, an engagement ring, symbolizing that from now on she is his bride. Imagine her amazement and joy when, waking up from sleep, Catherine saw on her hand the tangible gift of the Heavenly Bridegroom.
Converted Christian martyrs
Having witnessed the fiasco that his sages suffered, the emperor was very angry and immediately ordered them to be sent to the stake (in those days, although they were not fired under the article “incomplete official compliance,” they carried out very serious work among the “staff”). By the way, from the records of Catherine’s servant, Athanasius, who was mentioned at the beginning of the article, it is known that, standing on the threshold of death, the disgraced priests received their spiritual sight and, having publicly announced that they were convinced of the truth of the teachings of Christ, expressed a desire to die for him. Of course, it didn’t take long to persuade the executioners.
In particular, the following detail is noted: when the fires died out, all those present were amazed that the dead bodies of the newly converted Christians were not touched by the fire, and their faces expressed unearthly bliss. Subsequently, their burial places became centers of universal pilgrimage, where many miracles took place.
Godly Purpose
In those ancient pagan times that preceded the establishment of Christianity as the state religion of the Roman Empire, Egypt was part of it as one of its many provinces. According to the existing tradition, religious festivals were held annually in its largest cities, among which was Alexandria, with the participation of the emperor himself.
While waiting for one of them, the newly converted Christian was filled with the desire to speak to the crown bearer and, having revealed to him the true teaching of Christ, to convince him of the harmfulness of pagan errors. On most icons, the Great Martyr Catherine is depicted holding a palm branch or flowers in her hands, and this is no coincidence - both one and the other are a symbol of love and peace, on which the teachings of the Savior are based. It was these that the young Christian woman intended to present as a gift to the pagan emperor.
