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Saint Barbara, a Virgin Martyr, is the patron saint of firefighters, soldiers, prisoners, stone masons, those who have dangerous professions, construction workers, builders, mathematicians, and the city of Santa Barbara, California. She died by the sword, but her killers were struck down by lightning, so she is often called on for protection from lightning and for protection from violent and unpredictable death. She is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. Her feast day is December 4th.
Saint Barbara, whose name means "barbarian woman," lived during the late 3rd and early 4th centuries in Nicomedia, Bithynia, Asia Minor. According to legend, her pagan father, Dioscorus, kept her locked in a tower to preserve her virginity. She spent years in the tower hauling her food and laundry up and down by means of a basket on a rope. One day a stranger slipped a book about Christianity into her basket, and, upon reading it, she feigned sickness and sent for a doctor. The man who arrived was a priest, who secretly baptised her.
When her father finally found a suitable husband for Barbara, she admitted to being a Christian and refused the marriage. She escaped from the tower and hid out among some shepherds, but was re-captured. The prefect of the province, Martinianus, also called the procounsel Marcian, ordered her to be paraded naked though the town. A fog came up suddenly and hid her from the crowd. He then ordered her to be tortured with the flames from burning torches, and condemned to death. The torches did not burn her, so on December 4th, 306, her father carried out the death sentence by beheading her. On his way home, he was miraculously struck by lightning and killed, in what appeared to be an act of divine retribution.
In The West African and African religions of Lukumi and Santeria, she is identified with the male Orisha Chango (also spelled Shango and Xango) because he, as the deified fourth king of the Yorubas, is associated with thunder and lightning, as well as the colours red and white. In her role as Chango , Saint Barbara is thus named as one of the Seven African Powers of Cuban Santeria.
Saint Barbara Prayer: “Saint Barbara, keep away all the wicked, miserable people who lurk in the shadows seeking to harm me. I look to you, Saint Barbara to confuse them and remove them from my life. You, the sublime and generous protector, who open your heart to all good people, intercede with all your hearts blood, to liberate me from those who would interrupt my path. Give me strength to resist temptation and to know my faults. Protect me and save me from all harm. AMEN.”
Saints are spiritual beings who have been tasked with maintaining this Earth, watching over the affairs of humanity and each has dominion over a portion of nature. Each Saint is identified with natural forces as well as with human interests or endeavors. These Saints are mediators between humanity and the Supreme Being.
Pray to Saints because they are already in heaven, and they can intercede for you. In moments of anxiety, you need to hope and believe in something that helps you recover faith and maintain peace in your life.
Statues are prayed to for seeking love, health, fortune, protection, and to lend their energy while casting spells or during rituals. Establish the psychic link within yourself of spiritual awareness, inner peace, and positive transformation.
Approximately 12"
