Holy Great Martyr Varvara of Iliopol

Annually on the 17th of December in all Orthodox churches St. Varvara of Eliopolska, who sacrificed her life and martyrdom, glorified the Lord. Born in the family of a pagan fanatic, she was able to comprehend with her youthful intellect the whole inconsistency of his prejudices and heart to perceive the unfading light of Christ's teaching.

Young daughter of a rich pagan

When Varvara of Iliopolska was born (the icon, or rather its image is presented in the article), it is not known, but from the records that reached us it follows that she lived in the III century in the large trading city of Iliopolis of Phoenician. Her father Dioscorus, a rich and noble person, an ardent devotee, is committed to paganism, which at that time was the official religion of all states subject to Rome. Early widowed, he wholeheartedly attached himself to his only daughter, Varvara, seeing in her the source of joy and happiness.

When Varvara Iliopolska grew up a bit, her father, wanting to protect her from immodest views, and most importantly, to exclude any possibility of communicating with the Christians who had appeared in the city by that time, placed his daughter in a specially built for her castle. The girl lived surrounded by a truly royal luxury, but there was one unfortunate detail that poisoned her with the 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 Iliopolska involuntarily came to the idea of who is the Creator of this magnificence. The assurances of her teachers attached to her, that everything visible around was created by those gilded idols that his father worshiped, in no way convinced her. The inquisitive mind of a young recluse prompted her that there must be a God who is not man-made but has his own being and is outside the tangible world.

As a loving father, Dioscorus dreamed of the happy marriage of his daughter, and when it was time, favorably treated the rich and noble fiancés, who had frequented their home. However, what was his grief when the daughter flatly refused to give any of them a preference, saying that she wanted to remain in purity and chastity. My father did not persuade her of anything, but decided to give it to married friends, for more frequent communication with whom he allowed Varvara to leave the house when she pleases.

Adoption of holy baptism

Soon it happened that Dioscor was forced to part with his daughter for a while, going on a long trip, where his urgent business was called. In his absence, Varvara Iliopolska often left her home, and one day fate brought her with people who were secret Christians. When the girl, as usual, started a conversation on the exciting theme of the Creator of the world around them, they introduced her to the doctrine of the Triune Godhead, the Creator of all things, His incarnation from the Blessed Virgin Mary, death on the cross and the subsequent resurrection.

From that day, the only desire of Varvara was to take holy baptism as soon as possible and devote herself to the ministry of Jesus Christ. The incident to that soon introduced itself. New acquaintances led her to the priest, who secretly traveled under the guise of a merchant and in those days was passing through in Iliopol. After talking with the girl and teaching her the basics of faith, he performed this holy mystery over her. Descending on her the grace of God gave Varvara strength for the fulfillment of her high destiny.

Recognition of your faith

Going on a trip, Dioscorus ordered the servants to decorate his house with another tower, in which, according to his plan, there should have been two windows. Fulfilled by new religious feelings for her, Varvara Iliopolska persuaded the workers to cut through the third window in violation of the project. In this way, she wanted to have a visible symbol of the Holy Trinity before her eyes . The builders fulfilled her request exactly.

When Dioscorus, who returned from the trip, demanded an explanation for a whim that was so strange from his point of view, the daughter did not become cunning, but openly told him about all that had happened in his absence and announced that he would henceforth reject paganism and profess Christianity so hated by him. His father's anger was boundless. Not remembering himself from fury, he drew his sword, and only flight saved Varvara from imminent death.

The vision of the Lord that strengthened the girl

But she could not hide for a long time. By the evening of the same day, she was seized and, at the behest of her father, brought to the governor of the city. Dioscorus publicly renounced his Christian daughter, leaving her at the mercy of a pagan fanatic, like himself. The ruler, making a concession to her youth and, as it seemed to him, an immature mind, did not hurry to use force, and tried to persuade the girl to change her decision. However, he soon became convinced of her inflexibility.

Varvara of Ilia, the Great Martyr, retained her courage even when she was transferred to the torturer's merciless hands. When, at night, on the stone floor of her dungeon, the maiden prayed, Jesus Christ appeared before her in a visible image, commanding the unfortunate to endure tormenting to the end and not to lose hope in His help. By His pure lips He foretold her soon bliss in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Martyrdom of the Holy

In the morning, a brave Christian woman was taken out of the dungeon and beheaded in the presence of a large crowd of pagans. Execution was made by Dioscour himself, who in his fanatical blindness did not spare his own daughter. Thus, Varvara of Iliopolskaya completed her earthly journey.

The Great Martyr, whose icon is represented in most Orthodox churches, became one of the most revered Christian saints. To her for many centuries, an endless stream of people go, believing their innermost secrets and opening their souls in the hope of her help. It is believed that she has a special blessing from God to protect those who pray before her from violent death.