Saint Catherine of Alexandria

The oldest source on the life of this noble and wise virgin of Alexandria in Egypt, who lived in the 3rd and 4th centuries, is a Passio in Greek. Catherine refused to obey the emperor Maxentius and to sacrifice to the gods in the temple of Alexandria. She converted the scholars of the court, who were then put to death. Flogged and then thrown into prison, Catherine was visited by the empress and converted the officer Porphyry and his two hundred soldiers, who were also all put to death.

Catherine tortured
Catherine was then tortured with a wheel fitted with iron spikes, but the horrible instrument broke, causing the death of many pagans. Finally, despite the empress’s intercession with Maxentius, he ordered her breasts to be cut off and then had her beheaded.

The Passio states that milk, not blood, gushed from her neck.

The angels carried her body to Mount Sinai: every year, on her feast day, milk and oil poured from her tomb to heal the sick. In 527, Justinian had the famous monastery of Saint Catherine built at the foot of Sinai. Enclosed by high walls to protect it from Saracen attacks. Inside is the Church of the Transfiguration and the icons of the Mother of God of the Burning Bush and the Holy Face of Christ the Acheiropoiet of Christ.

Feast day: 25 November
Iconographic symbols
Saint Catherine is depicted wearing royal vestments, adorned with precious stones, a crown as well, a green outer garment and a red inner garment. She holds a cross or a palm of martyrdom.

Text
‘From the wound in Christ’s side came the Church; he made her his bride’.

This icon is written in egg tempera and natural pigments. Its halo is applied with real gold leaf. Made on limewood.