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.
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.
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.
Birthday city
On December 7, the city of Yekaterinburg solemnly and increasingly actively celebrates its name days over the years. And the community of the Old Believer Church in the name of the Nativity of Christ in Yekaterinburg on this day celebrates, as it were, the second throne. Due to the impossibility of coming to Yekaterinburg on the day of the patronal feast, on the Nativity of Christ, for several years now believers from all over the area have been gathering here a month earlier, on the day of remembrance of St. Catherine, who gave the name to the city.
The city was founded in 1723 as the capital of the mining region. The name of the city was given in honor of Catherine the First. During the reign of Catherine II, the main road of the Russian Empire, the Siberian Highway, was built through the city. Yekaterinburg became the key city to the vast and rich Siberia, a “window to Asia,” just as St. Petersburg was the Russian “window to Europe.”
Today Ekaterinburg is the fourth most populous city (after Moscow, St. Petersburg and Novosibirsk) in Russia.
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.
Used materials
- “Holy Great Martyr Catherine”, calendar page on the official website of the Moscow Patriarchate Publishing House:
- Saint Herman Calendar 2009
, p. 6 - Menea. November, part 2, ed. Moscow Patriarchate, p. 88, 94, 300 (prayers):
- Troparion and kontakion of Hellenstia. Translation from Greek by Natalia Bakhareva. Source: Great Book of Hours (Ωρολογιον το μεγα). Athens, 2003 // Blog of N. Bakhareva in LiveJournal:
[1] “Ἡ Ἁγία Αἰκατερίνη ἡ Μεγαλομάρτυς “, page of the Greek site ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ (Great Months)
, according to the book: Αγαθάγγελος (Χαραμαντίδης), Επ.
Φαναρίου, ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ
(Bishop of Phanaria Agathangel, “Synaxarion of the Orthodox Church”), Αποστολικής Διακονίας τη ς Εκκλησίας της Ελλάδος, .
[2] In the Russian Life on the website of the Publishing House of the Moscow Patriarchate, their number is indicated as 50 - . See “Οἱ Ἅγιοι 150 Ρήτορες”, page of the Greek site ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ (Great Months)
, according to the book: Αγαθάγγελος (Χαραμαντίδης), Επ.
Φαναρίου, ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ
(Bishop of Phanaria Agathangel, “Synaxarion of the Orthodox Church”), Αποστολικής Διακονίας τη ς Εκκλησίας της Ελλάδος, .
Martyr's Trials
The preacher was beaten with whips for several days, and then thrown into prison, deprived of food and drink. All this time she remained faithful to the Lord, which aroused sincere admiration among the common people. Even the emperor's wife did not remain indifferent. One day she had a dream about St. Catherine places the Divine Crown on her head. In the morning, together with the military leader Porfiry, the empress went to the captive to talk. A short meeting led to the fact that the martyr converted them to the Christian faith, telling them about the Grace of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Christ did not forget about His bride, who appeared to her every day in the form of a snow-white dove bringing food. When the exhausted girl was about to be cut on the wheel, an Angel suddenly appeared and smashed the terrible weapon with his sword, which killed the executioners with its fragments.
The miracle of salvation, which occurred in front of a crowd of thousands, became a turning point in the conversion of the Alexandrians to the faith of Christ.
After the failed execution, Maximin ordered the preacher’s head to be cut off, but even then her body was saved from desecration. When the executioner lowered the ax, milk flowed from the wound on the girl’s neck, after which the angels who appeared took the remains to the sacred Mount Sinai.
