GREAT MARTYR CATHERINE
NOVEMBER 25
Catherine was not a Christian, and she lived in fourth century Alexandria. Her mother, a Christian, raised her. She received the finest education. Her mother took her to a holy man who began to describe Jesus Christ to her. He told her to pray all night before an icon of the Theotokos and Jesus. When Catherine fell asleep, she saw a vision of the Theotokos and Jesus, but He would not look at her, saying that she was contemptible. Jesus told her to return to the elder for instructions, which she did. He baptized her and sent her to keep a vigil all night and to fast and pray. Again, she saw the vision, but Jesus said that she was now resplendent to behold. He gave her a ring, which was also on her finger when she awoke, and remains on her finger to this day. Maximinus, the emperor, commanded a festival to be held to the gods and many animals were sacrificed. Watching this in sadness, Catherine went to the emperor. She told him that his gods were just men who ended their lives miserably, who because of their deeds or acts of courage were called immortal and honored, though they were only men. She told him that there was only one God, whose word maintains the world. His gods were the demons of fantasies and illusions. Maximinus, fearing that she would embarrass him, assembled 150 rhetoricians to debate her. The Archangel Michael appeared and told her that God would add to her wisdom, and that she would save many. She refuted the rhetoricians with the words of their poets who proclaimed the gods, and she used the words of their gods who foretold of the times of Jesus Christ. The emperor condemned the 150 to death by fire. Before they died, Catherine sealed each one with the sign of the cross as she had converted them all. They all died, but not even a hair of their heads was singed. The emperor tried to win Catherine by flattery, to no avail. She was beaten, bloodied, and imprisoned. The emperor's wife, his military commander, and 200 soldiers visited Catherine in prison, and all became Christians, and all were beheaded by the emperor. The emperor asked Catherine to be his queen, if only she would worship his idols. When she refused, she went to the place of execution, followed by a crowd who mourned her. She told the unbelievers to mourn their own demise. She prayed and was beheaded at the age of 18 in the early fourth century. Milk flowed from her wound. Her fragrant relics are at monastery at Mt. Sinai.
OTHER SAINTS COMMEMORATED NOVEMBER 25. Great Martyr Mercurios of Caesarea; Martyrs Augusta the Empress, Porphyrius, and 200 soldiers at Alexandria with Great Martyr Catherine; Hieromartyr Peter, Archbishop of Alexandria; St. Peter Galata of Syria; St. Clement of Ochrid. |
