Every year on December 17, in all Orthodox churches, Saint Barbara of Iliopol is prayerfully commemorated, glorifying the Lord with her life and martyrdom. Born in the family of a pagan fanatic, she managed with her young mind to comprehend all the inconsistency of the prejudices he professed and to perceive with her heart the unfading light of Christ's teachings.
Young daughter of a rich pagan
When Barbara of Iliopolskaya was born (the icon, more precisely, her image is presented in the article), is unknown, but from the records that have come down to us it follows that she lived in the III century in the large trading city of Phoenician Iliopol. Her father Dioscorus, a rich and noble man, was an ardent supporter of paganism, which at that time was the official religion of all states subject to Rome. Having been widowed early, he became attached to his only daughter Barbara with all his heart, seeing in her a source of joy and happiness.
When Varvara Iliopolskaya grew up a little, her father, wanting to protect her from indiscreet eyes, and most importantly, to exclude anythe opportunity to communicate with the Christians who had appeared by that time in the city, placed his daughter in a castle specially built for her. The girl lived surrounded by truly royal luxury, but there was one unfortunate detail that poisoned her joy of life - her father did not allow her to leave this "golden cage".
Reflections on the Creator of the world
Spending long hours near the window and contemplating from the height of one of the towers the beauty of the world around her, Varvara Iliopolskaya involuntarily came to the idea of who is the Creator of this splendor. The assurances of the educators assigned to her that everything visible around was created by those gilded idols that her father worshiped, in no way convinced her. The inquisitive mind of the young recluse suggested to her that there should be a God not man-made, but having his own being and being outside the material world that is perceptible by all.
As a loving father, Dioscorus dreamed of a happy marriage for his daughter, and when the time came, he favorably treated rich and noble suitors who frequented their house. However, what was his chagrin when his daughter flatly refused to give preference to any of them, saying that she wanted to remain clean and chaste. The father did not convince her of anything, but decided to leave it to married friends, for more frequent communication with whom he allowed Varvara to leave the house whenever she pleased.
Receive holy baptism
It soon happened that Dioscorus was forced to part with his daughter for a while, going to a distanttrip, where urgent business called him. In his absence, Varvara Iliopolskaya often left her home, and one day fate brought her together with people who turned out to be secret Christians. When the girl, as usual, started talking about the topic of concern to her about the Creator of the world around them, they introduced her to the doctrine of the Triune Deity, the Creator of all things, His incarnation from the Blessed Virgin Mary, death on the cross and subsequent resurrection.
From that day on, Barbara's only desire was to receive holy baptism as soon as possible and devote herself to the service of Jesus Christ. The occasion soon presented itself. New acquaintances brought her to a priest who traveled secretly under the guise of a merchant and in those days was passing through Iliopolis. After talking with the girl and instructing her in the basics of faith, he performed this holy sacrament over her. The Grace of God that descended on her gave Barbara strength to fulfill her high destiny.
Confession of one's faith
Going on a journey, Dioscorus ordered his servants to decorate his house with another tower, in which, according to his plan, there should have been two windows. Filled with new religious feelings for her, Varvara Iliopolskaya persuaded the workers to cut through the third window in violation of the project. In this way, she wanted to have before her eyes a visible symbol of the Holy Trinity. The builders fulfilled her request exactly.
When Dioscorus, who returned from a trip, demanded an explanation for such a strange, from his point of view, whim, the daughter did not dissemble, but openly told him about everything that had happened in hisabsence and announced that henceforth she rejects paganism and professes Christianity so hated by him. The father's anger knew no bounds. Beside himself with rage, he drew his sword, and only flight saved Barbara from inevitable death.
The vision of the Lord that strengthened the virgin
But she didn't manage to hide for long. By the evening of the same day, she was captured and, at the behest of her father, delivered to the ruler of the city. Dioscorus publicly renounced his Christian daughter, leaving her to the mercy of a pagan fanatic like himself. The ruler, making a concession to her youth and, as it seemed to him, to an immature mind, was in no hurry to use force, but tried to persuade the girl to change her mind by persuasion. However, he soon became convinced of her inflexibility.
Barbara the Great Martyr of Iliopol kept her courage even when she was handed over to the ruthless hands of the executioner. When at night, on the stone floor of her dungeon, the virgin indulged in prayer, Jesus Christ appeared before her in a visible form, commanding the unfortunate woman to endure torment to the end and not lose hope in His help. With His pure lips, He predicted her speedy bliss in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Martyrdom of the saint
In the morning, a courageous Christian woman was taken out of the dungeon and beheaded in the presence of a large crowd of pagans. The execution was carried out by Dioscurus himself, who, in his fanatical blindness, did not spare his own daughter. So Varvara Iliopolskaya ended her earthly journey.
Great Martyr, iconwhich is represented in most Orthodox churches, has become one of the most revered Christian saints. For many centuries, people have been coming to her in an endless stream, confiding their most secret secrets and opening their souls in the hope of her help. It is generally accepted that she has a special blessing from God to protect those who pray before her from violent death.
