A holy medal of St. Barbara (died c. 235). Memorial is December 4th.
The medal is Italian made.
A beautiful maiden imprisoned in a high tower by her father Dioscorus for disobedience. While there, she was tutored by philosphers, orators and poets. From them she learned to think, and decided that polytheism was nonsense. With the help of Origen and Valentinian, she converted to Christianity.
Her father denounced her to the local authorities for her faith, and they ordered him to kill her. She escaped, but he caught her, dragged her home by her hair, tortured her, and killed her. He was immediately struck by lightning, or according to some sources, fire from heaven.
Her imprisonment led to her association with towers, then the construction and maintenance of them, then to their military uses. The lightning that avenged her murder led to asking her protection against fire and lightning, and her patronage of firefighters, etc. Her association with things military and with death that falls from the sky led to her patronage of all things related to artillery, and her image graced powder magazines and arsenals for years. One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.
While there were undoubtedly beautiful converts named Barbara, this saint is legend, and her cultus developed when pious fiction was mistaken for history. from here.
St. Barbara is the patron of --- fortifications, against lightning, miners, geologists, martyrs, and many more.
These 2 medal images may be of the same St. Barbara. I don't know for sure.
The one with the tower is "this" Barbara that is described.
Both medals have a simple pray for us on the back.
These medals are great on necklaces, bracelets, rosaries, pins or whatever else you had in mind. They all come with an open jump ring so you can attach it to your necklace.
Get a chain here:
Holy Medal Chains - 18", 24", 30" chains, stainless steel, aluminum, c – chillypumpkinholymedals
All medals and crucifixes are silver oxide (unless noted otherwise), which is a silver plated zinc alloy. They are quality Italian made, and the medals are approx. 1 inch tall and 5/8 inch wide. Crucifix sizes vary per listing.
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