The Church today venerates the memory of Barbara the Great Martyr.
Saint Barbara was from Heliopolis of Phoenicia, modern-day Lebanon, and lived during the reign of Maximian. She achieved the crown of martyrdom in 290 after suffering many torments for not renouncing her faith.
In Orthodox hagiography St. Barbara is portrayed with a chalice in her hand, as she is venerated as the patron saint against sudden death, especially by terminal patients wishing to receive a last Holy Communion.
St. Barbara is also the patron saint of the Greek army’s artillery corps, and her feast day is commemorated in military facilities around the country.
Additionally, Dec. 4 is the feast day of John the Righteous of Damascus.
