Beautiful female name Catherine has Byzantine roots. It has always been popular, both in the common people, and among aristocrats. It was worn by two empresses, in honor of whom many Russian cities were named - Ekaterinoslav, Ekaterinburg, Ekaterinodar and others. St. Catherine the Great Martyr is revered among the people, even now many people call her the name of their daughters, because she has a beautiful meaning - "virgin", "always clean". Many great artists of the Renaissance tried to depict her appearance on their canvases. Rafael, Caravaggio and other brilliant masters always attracted an instructive story of the life and suffering of this martyr. It is worth recalling to all believing Christians and those women who bear this glorious name.
St. Catherine of Alexandria
According to legend, she was a royal family, and had great beauty. Many men sought the honor of becoming her husband. In addition, Catherine knew many foreign languages, studied oratory, listened to the speech of learned men, read works of famous philosophers. She had a bright future, wealth and glory. But the girl was not in a hurry to name the chosen one, dreaming of finding such a person who would surpass her in beauty and learning.
The mother of the future Great Martyr secretly believed in Christ. Once, she brought her daughter to the caves, introducing her spiritual father. Monk was very interested in a wise young girl. He managed to convert her to Christianity and baptized under the name of Catherine. Twice the woman had a vision that she was transferred to heaven and appeared before the Savior himself. For the first time he turned away from her, but after the rite of baptism Christ received her and handed the ring, symbolizing the betrothal.
A young girl dared after this openly preach Christianity. She came to a pagan feast organized by Emperor Maximian and tried to persuade the ruler to accept a new faith. The cunning and cruel lord was so captivated by the beauty and reason of Catherine that he did not want to immediately execute the maiden. He arranged a debate, at which the famous learned men had to defeat the girl, make her admit she was wrong. But the woman easily destroyed all of their arguments in the argument and they disgraced soon to recognize the crushing defeat. Even the queen of Augusta, after a long conversation with Catherine, believed in Christ.
In a rage, Maximian ordered the execution of a woman. For the first time the divine miracle prevented Catherine from spinning. The weapon of execution was destroyed by the power of heaven, and many pagans were struck by its fragments. Warlord Porfiry and his warriors were so impressed by the divine manifestation that they refused to obey the emperor, and were executed for edification to other subjects. Unable to break the will of the martyr and her faith, Maximian executed her. The remains of the saint were transferred to the mountain, which is located on Sinai. Soon the relics of St. Catherine were found, and they are still stored in the temple, which was built on this site.
St. Catherine's Memorial Day
Previously, the people were very popular Catherine's festivities. On this day it was impossible to sit at home, it was necessary for the whole village to have fun and rejoice.