Saint Barbara

Barbara by Nikomedia

The story of St. Barbara is told in the Golden Legend and tells of an attractive woman, with a sharp mind, who would finally sacrifice her life for her Christian faith. Saint Barbara lived in Nicomedia in the 3rd century, other sources report that she lived in Heliopolis. Her father Dioscuros was a rich man, who in legends is called king, merchant or member of the imperial bodyguard.

Saint Barbara had to get married at her father's request, but she refused all suitors and chose virginity. She came into contact with a group of Christians and began to study the Bible and convert to Christianity. Dioscuros had a tower built for his daughter, in which he had her locked up to keep her away from the outside world. Barbara professed her Christianity in her isolation, thus attracting the wrath of her father. She had a third window built in the tower to symbolize the Trinity. The furious father tried to kill his daughter, who took refuge in a crack in the open rock by a miracle and fled until she became the victim of a betrayal.

When Dioscuro found his daughter, he brought her to Marciano, the Roman governor who pronounced the death sentence of the beautiful woman. Mistreated badly, she was taken to a prison cell where Christ appeared to her and healed her wounds. Legend has it that in the end it was Dioscuro himself who beheaded his daughter and carried out the death sentence, after which he was struck by lightning and burned to death.

Saint Barbara as saint patron

When Barbara's feast day is celebrated on December 4, members of very different professions remember their patroness. Saint Barbara, for example, is the patron saint of architects, bricklayers, bell ringers and, in general, of all construction workers, which refers to the story in which Barbara had another window added to the tower in which her father held her prisoner.

In addition, Barbara is the patron saint of miners, a profession in which great importance is given to the care of traditions. The link with the mining activity is due to the history of the opening crack that offered Barbara protection from her persecutors. Still today Barbara's day is celebrated by the miners.

The lightning that struck the murderer and father of Santa Barbara makes Barbara the patron saint of fireworks, goldsmiths and gunsmiths. Brush makers, hatters and other professions specialized in hair processing also refer to the saint, which is due solely to the similarity of name between Barbara and Barbarossa, the emperor whose amazing red hair was to end up in history books.

Barbara is also commemorated in the army: probably since the Moorish wars in Spain, Barbara is venerated as the patron saint of artillery. Thanks to the complex and sometimes confused legend about the life of the saint, many other professions have passed under Barbara's protection.

Iconography: the representation of St. Barbara

Saint Barbara is one of the 14 helpers in need and is a much portrayed figure. Whether as a wooden figure or in painting - Barbara is always depicted as a very beautiful female figure. In wood carving, she is usually given a tower in her hand, rarely the tower is also put on her head as a kind of pointed hat.

As the patron saint of miners, Barbara sometimes holds typical mining tools in her hands. The fireworkers and other professions that refer to the connection between Barbara's work and fire show the saint with a torch.

On some paintings, Saint Barbara is standing in front of a cannon and its ammunition.

Customs

It is customary to commemorate Saint Barbara on December 4. Numerous songs and prayers address Barbara directly and ask her for protection, among other things from sudden death. Miners are presented with a Barbara bread on this day, a sweet bread made of gingerbread dough. In some tunnels, the light is left on in honor of Barbara.

The Barbara's branch is still better known to many people than the Barbara's bread: On December 4, one cuts a branch from a fruit tree or a forsythia and puts it in a glass of water. Until Christmas Eve, the branch is supposed to blossom and provide some light and green during the Advent season.

It is similar with barbara wheat: you sprinkle some wheat grains in a bowl, moisten it with water and let it sprout until Christmas Eve.

The custom of giving children sweets, pastries and fruit on Barbara's Day, which is customary in the Rhineland, should especially please the young fans of the patron saint.

Who wants to remember at home the miracles that happened to Barbara after her confession of Christian faith and the courage of the saints, can buy a carved wooden figure of St. Barbara online here in the store. A wooden statue showing St. Barbara is also a wonderful gift for a member of one of the professions under her protection. As an emergency helper, the Barbara figure can be addressed in all difficult situations in life with wishes and prayers.