Description

Feast Day/Commemorated: January 17

The Holy Great Martyr Barbara lived during the reign of Emperor Maximian (305-311) in Heliopolis, Syria. Her wealthy pagan father, Dioscorus, sought to seclude his extraordinarily beautiful daughter in a tower after his wife's death. From her confinement, Barbara observed the natural world, leading her to question the pagan idols and seek the true Creator. Convinced of the futility of idol worship, she resolved to dedicate her life to God and remain a virgin. Despite her father's attempts to arrange a marriage, she refused all suitors. Eventually, Dioscorus allowed her freedom, during which she met Christian maidens and was secretly baptized by a priest from Alexandria, deepening her commitment to the Triune God.

During her father's absence, Barbara instructed workers building his bathhouse to add a third window, symbolizing the Holy Trinity, and miraculously etched a cross into the marble wall. Upon Dioscorus's return, she confessed her Christian faith, enraging him. He pursued her with a sword, but a hill miraculously opened to conceal her. After being discovered, Dioscorus brutally beat her and handed her over to the prefect Martianus, who subjected her to severe tortures, including being beaten with rawhide and having her wounds rubbed with haircloth. However, Christ Himself appeared to Barbara at night, healing her wounds and strengthening her for further suffering.

Witnessing Barbara's steadfastness, the virtuous Christian Juliana also confessed her faith and joined Barbara in martyrdom. Both women endured prolonged tortures, including being raked with hooks and led naked through the city, until an angel miraculously covered them. Finally, both Saints Barbara and Juliana were beheaded, with Dioscorus himself executing his daughter. Divine retribution swiftly followed, as both Dioscorus and Martianus were struck dead by lightning. Saint Barbara's relics were later transferred to Constantinople and then to Kiev, where they remain. She is venerated on December 4, with many Orthodox Christians chanting her troparion daily, trusting in the Savior's promise that those who remember her sufferings will be preserved from sudden death and depart with the Holy Mysteries.

About Our Icons (Print and Mounted):

Theophany Works Icons are handcrafted Orthodox Christian icon reproductions made in the United States with prayer and a desire for excellence. Each of our icons are printed on museum-quality matte canvas, providing a rich print with saturated coloration that lends to a beautiful handwritten-icon appearance.

All Theophany Works Icons are mounted on beveled wooden boards and finished with a high-quality UV protection sealant. This offers a subtle authentic-feeling texture while also enhancing durability, allowing for cleaning with a damp cloth. Additionally, each icon is given a maple-shelled keyhole slot on its back for easy and balanced hanging.

Our beautiful icon reproductions are lovingly made in our Lancaster, Pennsylvania studio. We pray they are a blessing to all who receive them, and we believe they will be a beloved addition to any home or parish—each at a fraction of the cost of a hand-painted icon.

***Our Beloved Brothers & Sisters in Christ: Please allow 3 weeks for production as each icon is made to order. If an icon is needed sooner for a baptism, chrismation, wedding, or name day, please contact us—we will always do our very best to accommodate your request.

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