The Serbian Orthodox Church celebrates the day of Saint Catherine the Great Martyr on December 7 — a Christian woman of great intellect and education who suffered for her faith.
Saint Catherine of Alexandria was an early Christian martyr and saint from the end of the 3rd century.
According to tradition, in one of her visions Jesus Christ gave her a ring, which she understood as a sign that she should dedicate her life to God. She was highly educated and well-versed in Greek philosophy, medicine, rhetoric, and logic.
As the story goes, Emperor Maxentius once summoned 50 wise men and organized a debate on matters of faith. In this debate Catherine prevailed, and as punishment, Emperor Maxentius ordered all 50 wise men to be burned alive. Before their deaths, at Catherine’s urging, they accepted Christianity and confessed their faith.
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Catherine was captured, tortured, and executed at the age of 18, on November 24, 305. According to tradition, during her execution, milk flowed from her body instead of blood.
Her relics are kept on Mount Sinai. The Monastery of Saint Catherine was given numerous gifts by Serbian kings Dragutin and Milutin, which are preserved in the monastery museum and library. At the end of the 14th century, the abbot of the Sinai Monastery was a Serb named Joanikije.
According to Orthodox tradition, it is believed that young women who wish to meet the love of their life pray to this saint. One must pray every evening for 40 days, and the wish will be granted.
“With virtues as radiant as the sunlight you enlightened the unbelieving sages, and like the bright Moon to travelers by night, you dispelled the darkness of disbelief, and you persuaded the empress, and together with her you exposed the tormentor, O God-called bride, blessed Catherine. With longing you came to the heavenly Palace to the most beautiful Bridegroom, Christ, and from Him you were crowned with a royal crown: Standing before Him with the Angels, pray for us who celebrate your most glorious memory,” writes Istorijski zabavnik.
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Source: Nova, Foto: Wikipedia