The Legend of Saint Barbara

It seems as if the whole world was collapsing throughout the Roman Empire. Disease was spreading in every village and town, and even the mighty emperor had been slain by his own troops. Looking about his palace, Dioscuros, who lived in Asia Minor wondered if anything was secure in these times. Although he was the governor of a large and wealthy city located near the Persian border, Dioscuros could not help but worry. Perhaps, he thought, the only true help lay in the gods - in Jupiter, Appollo, and Mercury. Dioscuros had always been loyal to his pagan gods, ever since his childhood.

It was then that Dioscuros' eye caught sight of the large tower located in the courtyard of his palace. He smiled when he saw it, for here was a tower no enemy, no disease, no danger could ever penetrate. At the top of the tower lived his daughter, Barbara. Beautiful, virtuous, Barbara was his only child and his one special joy.

Dioscuros: "Barbara, you are my only child and my one special joy. Although you have committed no crime, you are not allowed to leave you tower. There are too many dangers outside. I have to protect you from anyone I do not trust."

Barbara: "O.K., Dad. Then I will spend all my life in my apartment in the pinnacle of the tower. I really appreciate your love."

So Barbara grew up in her lonely tower, her only contact with the outside world being the windows through which she could look out and marvel at the countryside below.

In Barbara's studies, her teachers had told her about the world outside. Being an intelligent girl, Barbara began asking them more questions.

Barbara (looking in wonder to the beauty of God's creation): "Who created this world, this infinite space, full of stars, and moon, and sun and this earth with its seas and woods, and birds? There must be one Creator, one wise and Almighty Giver of Life."

From her friends, Barbara began to hear about the new teaching that was secretly being spread throughout the land - teachings about Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Creator of the World. Soon she discovered that one of the girls who knew much about Jesus was herself a Christian. Barbara begged to be instructed in this new faith, and secretly decided to become a Christian herself.

One day, when Dioscuros was away, Barbara decided to inspect the new bathhouse that her father ordered to be built for her. In it was a large pool - a perfect place for baptism. Barbara told the builders to make a few changes in the design. Instead of two windows, there would be three - in honor of the Holy Trinity.

Then Barbara wrote a letter to the great teacher Origen from Alexandria to come and baptize her. Origen taught her more about the love of Jesus, and His Salvation on the Cross to save mankind. He also gave her few religious books, and told her that she must suffer a lot because of her faith, but at the end she will be crowned with eternal glory. A few days before her father returned, Barbara was baptized in the new pool.

Dioscuros (returning from a conference): "Hi Barbara, my beloved daughter!"

Barbara (warmly): "Hi Dad, good to see you again."

Dioscuros (noticing the three windows): "Wait a minute! Three windows! The new bathhouse has three windows instead of two! Who has authorized these changes?"

Barbara: "I made the changes in the building. Three windows ­ in honor of the Holy Trinity."

Dioscuros (furious): "All of my plans have been ruined. All of my precautions were for nothing! Barbara, have you been baptized yet?"

Barbara: "Yes! I was baptized in the new pool."

Barbara saw her father reach for his sword and she dashed out of the room and ran down the stairs of the tower. She escaped from the palace and went to a nearby mountain and there she prayed to God for help.

But the soldiers of Dioscuros were sent out and the next day they found her. When Barbara refused to give up her faith, her father ordered the soldiers to take her to the imperial governor.

Governor: "Barbara, sacrifice to the pagan gods or die. You have tried my patience, now make your choice!"

Barbara (quickly): "I would rather die, for in this way I will witness my love for my Savior Jesus."

Governor: "Now you die. But let's torture you first!"

Barbara: "Death is no more, for Christ is risen."

The governor sent her to be tortured but Barbara remained firm in her faith. Finally they threw her into jail. Around midnight in the dark cell, a bright light shone. Christ himself appeared to Barbara.

Christ: "Don't fear, my child, for I will be always with you."

After these words, all her wounds from the many tortures were healed. In the morning when Barbara stood in front of the governor, everybody was amazed by the absence of her wounds. Again Barbara was mercilessly tortured. They stripped her clothes off and forced her to walk in the streets of the city naked. Yet as Barbara stepped outside the prison walls, she was covered with brilliant light. Not only could her naked body not be seen but also all her wounds had been healed again.

The imperial governor had grown tired and afraid of this young woman with so much power. He ordered his soldiers to have Barbara beheaded. Dioscorus himself carried out the death sentence. On his way home he was struck by lightening and his body consumed. Immediately the earth shook and swallowed his body. The governor, in terror, became insane and died.