St. Catherine (282-305)
Catherine
is a very common name in the Western world and it has many derivations: Katie,
Karin, Karen and Katarina being a few. The Greek name is Aikaterini but on
an everyday basis it is Katerina and stems from the word katharos,
clean or pure.
St. Catherine was a 3rd century Roman saint who was born in Alexandria, Egypt. This was one of the great centers of learning in the ancient world and scholars flocked to the city, even after the great library had been destroyed. Despite being a woman, Catherine was very well educated, which is why we often see her sitting amongst books in icons. She is also the patron saint of female students, nuns and young girls.
Her father was the governor of Alexandria and worshipped the old gods. For some reason, Catherine became a Christian quite early on, much to the dismay of her father, and was to become one of the great martyrs. She refused to marry unless her husband was more educated and handsome than her, which apparently was impossible, and so remained a virgin.
Granted
an audience with the emperor Maximinus' wife, St. Catherine managed to convert
the royal family and several of their servants, which annoyed the emperor
to such a degree that he ordered a group of philosophers to go to her and
convince her that her faith was wrong. The plan failed, as Catherine managed
to convert the philosophers and for this, Maximinus had them put to death
and Catherine arrested.
Since debating was futile, the emperor condemned Catherine to be tortured on a special wheel equipped with knives but when the saint was bound to it, it fell apart. Instead, St. Catherine was decapitated.
St. Catherine
is celebrated on November 11.