Life of Saint Catherine
Saint Catherine was also known as the Great Martyr Saint Catherine, Saint Catherine of the Wheel and Saint Katherine of Alexandria. The Saint was a noted scholar as well as princess, who was martyred in the early 4th century by emperor Maxentius. She converted to Christianity by the age of 14 and was martyred at 18. As the daughter of the governor of Alexandria, she devoted herself to study from a very young age.
When tyranny began by the hands of Maxentius, she went to him and criticized his tactics and treatment of his people. Maxentius called 50 of his best pagan philosophers to berate her acquisitions but when the debate was done, she had masterfully won the challenge. Many of adversaries and eloquences converted to Christianity instantly. Maxentius put them to death in his rage and imprisoned Katherine.
Saint Catherine of Siena
She was imprisoned for a long time. Her punishment was death by starvation. She was scourged so brutally that every nick and corner of her body flowed blood in streams. The by-standers wept with mercy at her state and she was visited by more than 200 people in twelve days. All those people converted to Christianity after visiting her and were put to death. Maxentius’ wife was also among them.
It is reported that angels treated her wounds and she was fed directly from Heaven. She claimed that Jesus also visited her and gave her strength to with all her might for the crown of everlasting glory. When her cell was opened, bright light and a fragrant perfume filled it and Katherine came forth radiating. Maxentius proposed her to win her heart, upon realizing that he had failed. She declined his proposal by claiming that Jesus was her spouse. Maxentius condemned her to death on a breaking wheel but it shattered under her touch. Then she was to be beheaded and a milk-like substance flowed from her neck instead of blood. Angels moved her body the highest mountain next to mountain Sinai.
The Orthodox Churches celebrate a feast day
The monks discovered her incorrupt body in 850. The Orthodox Churches celebrate a feast day in her honour as the Great Martyr while the other churches have kept it as an optional memorial. Her body was moved to a monastery in the 6th century to Egypt. Her body is not publicly displayed but many people visit Saint Katherine’s Monastery to receive her miracle healings.
