Post by Tamrin on Nov 25, 2008 6:57:31 GMT 10
Saint Catherine of Alexandria, also known as Saint Catherine of the Wheel and The Great Martyr Saint Catherine ... is a Christian saint and martyr who is claimed to have been a noted scholar in the early 4th century. In the beginning of the fifteenth century, it was rumored that she had spoken to Saint Joan of Arc. The Orthodox Churches venerate her as a "great martyr," and in the Catholic Church, she is traditionally revered as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.
What is told of Saint Catherine's life is mostly composed of legends which have many different variations, and have little historical basis. The most popular version is that Catherine was the daughter of Costus, governor of Alexandria in Egypt. She announced to her parents that she would only marry someone who surpassed her in everything, such that "His beauty was more radiant than the shining of the sun, His wisdom governed all creation, His riches were spread throughout all the world."
Having received a vision that urged her baptism, Catherine became a Christian and was transported to heaven in vision and betrothed to Christ by the Virgin Mary.
What is told of Saint Catherine's life is mostly composed of legends which have many different variations, and have little historical basis. The most popular version is that Catherine was the daughter of Costus, governor of Alexandria in Egypt. She announced to her parents that she would only marry someone who surpassed her in everything, such that "His beauty was more radiant than the shining of the sun, His wisdom governed all creation, His riches were spread throughout all the world."
Having received a vision that urged her baptism, Catherine became a Christian and was transported to heaven in vision and betrothed to Christ by the Virgin Mary.
Saint Catherine of Alexandria
by Caravaggio
