Today's Saint (November 25): Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin & Martyr

Saints Home Page | BACK | NEXT

There is no historical evidence of the existence of this saint. However, pious tradition holds that she was born at Alexandria and became a highly educated young Christian youth who later refused marriage to the Emperor, claiming that she was espoused to Christ.

The Emperor forced her to debate with the most learned men of her day, hoping she would commit apostasy, but her arguments for the faith led some of them to be converted.

For these reasons, and because of her opposition to Christian martyrdoms, she herself was tortured and martyred during the persecutions of the Roman Emperor Maxementious.

The accompanying picture is Giullano Buglardini's (16th Century) representation of Catherine's Martyrdom.

"I deal with the thing that is lawful and right: O give me not over unto mine oppressors. Therefore hold I straight all thy commandments: and all false ways I utterly abhor." (Ps. 119). (The day's communion, page E 140, The People's Anglican Missal)

The Day's Propers
Catholic Encyclopedia article

Books Worth Considering
Fox's Book of Martyrs
Reason Is Beguiled: On the Mystery of Martyrdom & of Total Self Gift
By Their Blood: Christian Martyrs of the Twentieth Century
The Treasury of Saints and Martyrs
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church
Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church
The Oxford Dictionary of Saints (Oxford Paperback Reference)
The Penguin Dictionary of Saints: Third Edition (Dictionary, Penguin)

www.episcopalnet.org