My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
THE MARTYRDOM OF SAINT KATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA
Emperor Maximinus was a rude, ignorant and superstitious tyrant, equal in cruelty as Galerius, Emperor of the East, but surpassing him in incredible debauchery. In the autumn of 308 A.D., he issued a fifth edict of persecution, which commanded that all males with their wives and servants, and even their children, should sacrifice and actually taste the accursed offerings. This terrible law introduced a reign of terror for two years, and left the Christians with the alternative of martyrdom, apostasy or starvation. All the pains which iron and steel, fire and sword, rack and cross, wild beasts and beastly men could inflict, were employed to gain this useless end.
Emperor Maximinus concentrated all his attention on the holy Katherine, but he was unable to vanquish her with philosophical arguments. Instead, he attempted to deceive her with subtlety and flattery. He even offered her half of his kingdom and to live with him in the royal palace. However, the Saint being wise and prudent, perceived his subtle scheme and said to him, "I have come to be the bride of Christ Who alone is my Bridegroom and advisor, the adornment and vesture of my virginity; and I desire martyrdom more than a purple robe or crown!"
The pagan Roman Emperor, pretending to be concerned for her welfare replied,"Do not force me to degrade thine honor against mine own will." But the holy Martyr Katherine said, "Do whatsoever thou wishest, for with temporary dishonor thou shalt bestow upon me true and Eternal Glory. Many will believe in Christ, especially people of thine own palace, for they will go before me to the Sacred Mansions with untold glory and majesty."
Thus Saint Katherine spoke, and God would bring it to pass. The cruel Emperor then ordered that she be stripped of the royal mantle and lashed without pity with whips of rawhide. After this, they scourged her about the stomach and back for two hours. Her virginal body, once fair, became lacerated and unsightly from the welts. So much blood flowed that the ground was dyed red. Yet, the holy one withstood all this with such courage, to the amazement of the bystanders. After sunset, the savage beast ordered that she be cast into prison. She was given no food or water for twelve days, until he might devise a method to put her to death.
A certain Prefect named Hursasaden, an ill=tempered and sadistic man, tried to win the Emperor’s favor; and out of his perverted intellect proposed, "I O Emperor, have invented an instrument of torture wherewith thou shalt either win over this maiden or she shall experience a dreadful death. You should order the construction of four wooden wheels attached to an axle, from which steel blades and other sharp spikes protrude. Two ot the wheels will rotate to the right, and two to the left. The maiden would be placed below, bound, at its center, so that when the wheels turn, her body will be completely mutilated. However, first exhibit the wheels turning so as to instill terror in her, that she may do as she is ordered; if not, let her receive an evil death." The idea pleased the pagan Emperor, and he commanded the plan into effect.
In three days’ time, the dreadful apparatus was readied, When they brought the holy Katherine forth, they turned the wheels with a mighty force so as to frighten her. The sadistic Emperor said, "Behold, by this instrument you shall receive a bitter death if you do not worship the gods!" She replied, "Many times already I have told you my opinion. Therefore, waste no more time, but do as you desire!" Yet the wretched one tried flattery and cunning again to persuade her to change her mind; but was unsuccessful.
The beastly Emperor then ordered that they cast the Saint, bound, before the wheels and rotate them violently, so that with rapid passes thereof she might suffer a bitter death. But, by the intervention of the grace and will of God, it did not come to pass in this way. An Angel of the Lord came down from Heaven and aided Saint Katherine, who was instantly loosed from the bonds and rendered whole and uninjured. The wheels spun on their own, striking many of the unbelievers, and bringing upon them a hideous death. Those who stood about were ae-stricken, witnessing this terrible sight; and cried, "Great is the God of the Christians!" The Emperor raged with a blind fury, and at once sought to devise a new ay to torture the Saint.
The following day, they brought Saint Katherine to the judgment hall, and the Emperor cried aloud, "You have caused me great pain and sorrow! You have deceived my wife, and my valiant companion and commander-in-chief, who was the strength of my army. Many more evils have vistted me on your account. I should have subjected you to a cruel death; nevertheless, I will forgive you, because I do not wish to see a beautiful and wise maiden such as yourself lost by torture. Therefore, listen to me, my love, and sacrifice to the gods. I will make you my lawful consort and shal neve grieve you, nor will I do anything without your counsel; you will be so happy and joyous, more so than any other queen in all the world."
With these vain words and others like them, the subtle one tried in every way possible, turning over every stone, to change the Saint’s mind. But observing that neither by flattery, promises, nor threats could he soften the adamant one, he gave up all hope and, having no control over his senses, issued the order that she be beheaded outside the city limits. The soldiers took the Saint and marched her to the site of execution. A large crowd followed them, of both men and women, weeping bitterly at the loss of such a beautiful and wise young woman. On their arrival at the site of execution, the Saint made the following prayer: "My Lord, Jesus Christ and God, I thank Thee that Thou hast secured my feet on the rock of patience and hast directed my steps. Stretch out Thy Sacred hand, which was nailed to the Cross for our sake, and receive my soul, which today is separated from the body, out of love for Thee. Be Thou mindful, O Lord, that we are but flesh and blood, and do not allow the dark inquisitors to expose my transgressions, which I committed unwittingly, before Thy Dread Judgment Seat; but wash them away with the blood that I shed for Thee, and grant my body, cleaved for Thee, will become invisible tho those who seek it, keeping it safe and secure wheresoever Thou wishest. Look down from on high upon Thy people who surround me, O Lord, and guide them to the light of Thy knowledge. Bestow upon those who invoke Thy Name, through me, all they seek for their betterment, that Thy works may be praised by all and that Thou mayest be glorified with Thine Unoriginate Father and Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto endless ages. Amen.
After uttering this prayer, she told the executioner to carry out the sentence. He raised his sword and cut off her precious and sacred heads on November 25th, in about the year 305 A.D. Again, our Loving God desired to honor His Saint and Venerable Martyr, and one miracle followed another! At her beheading, all the bystanders witnessed milk flow from her sacred head instead of blood. Whereupon, that hour, her revered precious relics were devoutly translated by holy Angels and deposited on Mount Sinai in a secret place. According to Holy Tradition it was translated to the peak of the highest mountain in Sinai, which now bear her name. Indeed, this is the account of the Martyrdom of the wise, and remarkable Katherine, who so loved Christ, the Heavenly Bridegroom, that she disdained wealth, glory, and every vain enjoyment. Wherefore, she now rejoices and delights with the choirs of Saints unto endless ages.
Thus, tormented in transitory sufferings, Saint Katherine received everlasting rest. Therefore, listen and emulate her, and become a martyr by you conduct; a witness by you disposition and principles, without shedding your blood. Presently, though no one constrains us, no one compels us to worship idols, nor to renounce our Savior, nevertheless, deny yourself and overcome the bodily passions; or be long-suffering and patiently bear insults for our Lord’s sake, that you may be honored by Him eternally… If you will vanquish and repudiate all lusts and vices, Christ, Who awards the prizes, will bestow upon you an imperishable crown, and you will rejoice with the holy Martyrs forever, and glorify the Most Holy Trinity and Ever-Virgin Lady, unto endless ages. Amen.
Centuries later, guided by a dream, monks of the Monastery of Holy Transfiguration in Sinai, erected by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, found her holy and precious body. They brought her down from the mountain and placed her in a golden casket in the church. The sweet fragrance of her sacred relics is today a continuous miracle. [Resources: The Lives of the Holy Women Martyrs]
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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
+ Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 