Catherine of Alexandria, also known as Saint Catherine of the Wheel or the Great Martyr, was a Christian saint and one of the most important virgin martyrs of the late Middle Ages. She bravely protested against the discrimination of Christians under the Roman Emperor Maxentius and defeated eminent scholars who opposed her. Despite being tortured and sentenced to death, Catherine remained steadfast in her faith, having consecrated her virginity to Jesus Christ. Born in Alexandria, Egypt, she grew up in a noble household and became a renowned scholar by her teens. At the age of 14, she converted to Christianity after a vision of Baby Jesus and Saint Mary. Catherine’s intelligence and persuasive abilities led her to convert hundreds of people, including members of Maxentius’ family. Her feast day is celebrated on 25 November according to the Roman Martyrology.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Saint Katharine of Alexandria
- Died At Age: 18
- Family: father: Constus
- Born Country: Egypt
- Died on: 305
Background & Conversion to Christianity
Catherine of Alexandria was born in 287 CE in Alexandria, Roman Egypt. Her father, Constus, served as the governor of Alexandria under Emperor Maximian. Catherine grew up in a wealthy family and excelled in her studies. At the age of 14, she had a vision of Baby Jesus and Saint Mary, which led her to convert to Christianity. Despite her beauty, Catherine refused a marriage proposal from Emperor Maxentius, stating that she was already married to Jesus Christ. She was then challenged by 50 pagan philosophers and orators who questioned her religion. Catherine’s eloquence and knowledge not only won the debates but also convinced the philosophers to convert to Christianity.
Imprisonment, Torture & Martyrdom
Enraged by Catherine’s refusal, Maxentius ordered her imprisonment. During her time in prison, she was brutally scourged, causing her body to bleed profusely. Despite the torture, Catherine showed no signs of fear or suffering. She was denied food in an attempt to starve her to death, but according to Orthodox churches, angels from heaven would come to feed her and heal her wounds. It is also believed that Jesus visited her during this time. Many people, including Maxentius’ wife, Valeria Maximilla, visited Catherine during her imprisonment and converted to Christianity. After failed attempts to win her over, Maxentius proposed marriage once again, but Catherine declined, affirming her commitment to Jesus Christ. As a result, she was sentenced to be executed on a spiked breaking wheel. However, when the wheel was presented to her, it shattered upon her touch. She was then ordered to be beheaded, and her death is recorded to have occurred in 305 CE.
Burial
According to Christian belief, a flight of angels descended from above and took Catherine’s body to Mount Sinai, where God had given the Ten Commandments to Moses. The mountain peak is now known as Mount Saint Catherine and is home to her monastery. In 850 CE, monks discovered Catherine’s incorrupt body, with her hair still growing and fragrant healing oil oozing from it. Emperor Justinian established Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Egypt in the 6th century to house her relics, including her left hand and head. The monastery is a significant repository of ancient Christian art, illuminated manuscripts, and architecture. It remains open to tourists and is considered sacred in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Other shrines dedicated to Catherine can be found in Rouen, France, where her fingers are kept as relics, as well as in Westminster and Canterbury.
Veneration & Feast
Christian churches commemorate Catherine of Alexandria on November 25th each year. However, the Russian, Bulgarian, Serbian, and Polish Orthodox churches celebrate her feast day on November 24th. Her principal symbol is the spiked wheel, also known as the Catherine wheel. In Russia, the Catholic Church of St. Catherine, one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches, was named after her as she was the patron of Catherine the Great. In France, her feast day was celebrated as a Holy Day of Obligation, and unmarried women over the age of 25 wore decorated bonnets in her honor. This tradition, known as “coiffer Sainte-Catherine,” still exists today. In the 15th century, it was rumored that Joan of Arc received divine guidance from Catherine and Saint Margaret. The Catherine Wheel, a firework that spins and emits sparks in all directions, is named after the wheel of martyrdom associated with Catherine.
Legacy
Some historians, such as Donald Attwater and Harold Davis, argue that there is a lack of concrete evidence to prove the existence of Catherine of Alexandria. They suggest that she may have been a fictional creation by a Greek writer to provide a counterpart to the story of Hypatia of Alexandria, a Greek philosopher who was murdered by Christians. Despite the historical debate, Catherine of Alexandria remains an important figure in Christian tradition and is venerated as a martyr and saint.