Saint Barbara

I found this little statue of Saint Barbara among a mountain of bric-a-brac in a thrift shop about three years ago. It was so dirty that the the inscription on her pedestal was obscured and I wasn't sure exactly who she was. Poor Saint Barbara, discarded and forgotten- it's the story of her life!

St. Barbara was removed from the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic rite in 1969, because of doubts of the historicity of her legend but she is still an important figure in the Orthodox Church. Briefly, her story is that she was an early Christian convert whose pagan father kept her shut up from the outside world. While he was away she had three windows placed in her private room to symbolize the Trinity. Her father was angered by her faith and tried to have her executed. Torches would not burn her, so he beheaded her with his own sword. As he left the site of her execution he was struck dead by lightning. She is the patron saint of artillerymen and those who work with explosives. She is invoked for protection against lightning and fire.

I can't explain my attraction for this woman- I have no history of abuse, I'm not Greek- not Catholic and maybe would not be considered a Christian by the powers that be. I do have a fascination for things that have been locked away. Hidden cities- volcanoes smoldering for centuries- Forces that are unseen. To me, Barbara is the power of the Universe invoked for justice and protection. And THAT can never be locked away!

My Saint Barbara is enclosed in her little temple surrounded by three windows. The door has been removed, rusty hinges remain. In a golden crypt below sits an amber globe, symbolizing lightning. The Greek word for amber was "electron" because of it's ability to conduct electricity.