Light a candle in front of an icon of Saint Barbara, placed where your children can see it.
The Life of Saint Barbara
There once lived a beautiful maiden named Barbara. She lived in Syria with her father, a rich pagan, named Dioscurus. Barbara was remarkably intelligent, and loved our Savior dearly. One day, Dioscurus had to go on a long journey, and he told his daughter Barbara that he would be away for a long time. He locked her at the top of a very tall tower in their palace, and left. From her tower, Barbara could see workers below. They were building a bath house. It was to have two windows to let light in. Saint Barbara had an idea. She asked the builders to put in a third window. This way, three windows would light the room with a triple light, symbolizing the Holy Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Anyone who went inside the bath house would be reminded of God.
The father returned from his travels. He had plans to give Barbara away in marriage. As soon as she understood her father’s plans, Barbara refused. She told him that it was her desire to remain a virgin and devote her life to Christ. Dioscurus became very angry with her. It wasn’t long before he discovered that his daughter had ordered the extra window to be made in his bath house. Angrier than ever, he demanded from his daughter an explanation. Barbara showed him how to make the sign of the cross with her fingers, and explained that the God of the Christians is the one Triune God. “The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the whole of creation is illuminated by this unique light, and mankind is saved by this sign!”
Dioscurus did not understand. He did not want to understand. He did not want to hear about the true God. He did not want his beautiful daughter to live a monastic life, dedicated to Christ. Dioscurus was furious. He grabbed his sword, with every intent to kill Barbara. Quickly, she fled. Before her impious father could catch her, Barbara fled into the shelter of a cleft in a large rock, which opened to receive her. Eventually, Dioscurus found his daughter in hiding, and sent her to the impious, God-hating governor. Before the governor, Saint Barbara confessed her faith in God. The impious governor did not like this. He brutally tortured Barbara and threw her in a dark dungeon.
That night, the Light of Christ filled her dungeon cell. All of Saint Barbara’s wounds were healed, and Christ promised to help her in her struggled even to the end. The next day, Barbara was again brought before the governor. Everyone stood in amazement as they saw her wounds were gone! Still, Saint Barbara proclaimed the Trinity as the one true God, and the impious governor ordered her to be tortured again. Christ was with His servant Barbara, and she remained unshaken in her faith.
Next, the governor decided to shame and embarrass the maiden by taking away her clothes and making her walk around the city naked. But God would not let this happen! Before they could touch her, He sent a ball of fire down from the heavens. It safely cloaked her, and the governor’s shameful plan was undone.
A young woman named Juliana saw all that happened. She saw Saint Barbara’s love for Christ and declared that she too was a Christian. The governor tortured Juliana the same as Barbara. Finally He declared that both women were to be beheaded. Juliana gave up her soul in martyrdom, beheaded by the executioner, and Saint Barbara gave up her soul, beheaded by her own father.
God did not allow Dioscurus’s wicked deeds go unpunished. On his journey back home, he was struck by a thunderbolt from the sky, and his body turned to ashes.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, and Saint Barbara,
Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us!
The father returned from his travels. He had plans to give Barbara away in marriage. As soon as she understood her father’s plans, Barbara refused. She told him that it was her desire to remain a virgin and devote her life to Christ. Dioscurus became very angry with her. It wasn’t long before he discovered that his daughter had ordered the extra window to be made in his bath house. Angrier than ever, he demanded from his daughter an explanation. Barbara showed him how to make the sign of the cross with her fingers, and explained that the God of the Christians is the one Triune God. “The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the whole of creation is illuminated by this unique light, and mankind is saved by this sign!”
Dioscurus did not understand. He did not want to understand. He did not want to hear about the true God. He did not want his beautiful daughter to live a monastic life, dedicated to Christ. Dioscurus was furious. He grabbed his sword, with every intent to kill Barbara. Quickly, she fled. Before her impious father could catch her, Barbara fled into the shelter of a cleft in a large rock, which opened to receive her. Eventually, Dioscurus found his daughter in hiding, and sent her to the impious, God-hating governor. Before the governor, Saint Barbara confessed her faith in God. The impious governor did not like this. He brutally tortured Barbara and threw her in a dark dungeon.
That night, the Light of Christ filled her dungeon cell. All of Saint Barbara’s wounds were healed, and Christ promised to help her in her struggled even to the end. The next day, Barbara was again brought before the governor. Everyone stood in amazement as they saw her wounds were gone! Still, Saint Barbara proclaimed the Trinity as the one true God, and the impious governor ordered her to be tortured again. Christ was with His servant Barbara, and she remained unshaken in her faith.
Next, the governor decided to shame and embarrass the maiden by taking away her clothes and making her walk around the city naked. But God would not let this happen! Before they could touch her, He sent a ball of fire down from the heavens. It safely cloaked her, and the governor’s shameful plan was undone.
A young woman named Juliana saw all that happened. She saw Saint Barbara’s love for Christ and declared that she too was a Christian. The governor tortured Juliana the same as Barbara. Finally He declared that both women were to be beheaded. Juliana gave up her soul in martyrdom, beheaded by the executioner, and Saint Barbara gave up her soul, beheaded by her own father.
God did not allow Dioscurus’s wicked deeds go unpunished. On his journey back home, he was struck by a thunderbolt from the sky, and his body turned to ashes.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, and Saint Barbara,
Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us!
Activities
Chant together the Megalynarion: Fleeing from thy father’s ungodliness, * thou didst run rejoicing* to the Father of Lights, O Saint. * Though thine earthly father * did slay thee, yet thy Father * in heaven hath now crowned thee with life, O Barbara.
Ask child questions about the story:
Q: When Saint Barbara saw the builders making a bath house, what did she ask them to do?
A: Add a third window
Q: When Saint Barbara fled from her angry father, how did God give her a hiding place?
A: He opened up the cleft of a large rock.
Q: When Saint Barbara was thrown into the dungeon after being tortured, Who came to her? What did He do?
A: God. He healed her wounds and told her He would be with her and help her until the end.
Q: Who saw Saint Barbara being tortured and decided to also proclaim her love for Christ?
A: Juliana
Window Bath Activity
Use bath paint to make three windows on the shower wall at bath time. You can even encourage the child to design their own bath area with crosses, and other decorations in groups of three as well.
Bath Paint: Squirt shaving cream into a bowl. Drop one to two drops of food coloring in and mix. Give to child to draw and play with in the bath. (Note: Unscented shaving cream is best.)
Bath Paint: Squirt shaving cream into a bowl. Drop one to two drops of food coloring in and mix. Give to child to draw and play with in the bath. (Note: Unscented shaving cream is best.)