Who was St. Catherine of Alexandria?

Courage Against Maxentius

In the ancient city of Alexandria, a powerful ruler named Maxentius committed terrible acts. Eusebius, a historian, tells us that Maxentius did something very wrong: he forcibly took the wives and daughters of the city's residents. This was a grave injustice and caused much suffering.

However, amidst this dark time, there was a ray of hope in the form of one brave woman. This woman, not only prominent and respected in Alexandria but also a devout Christian, was known for her wealth, noble family, and high status in society. Her most cherished qualities were her modesty and virtue.

Maxentius, attempting to sway her to his will, failed repeatedly against her firm stance. Despite his anger and lust, he could not bring himself to harm her directly. Instead, he chose to punish her through exile and confiscation of her possessions.

The emperor Maxentius, informed about Catherine's ideas and way of life, challenges her. He invites a large number of orators, fifty or according to some accounts, one hundred and fifty, to debate her, hoping to prove the baselessness of her beliefs. However, Catherine, with her eloquent speech and persuasive arguments, not only outwits them but also succeeds in converting them to Christianity. Enraged, Maxentius orders their execution at the stake and subjects Catherine to severe torture.

The legend takes another turn when Maxentius, already married to Faustina, shows romantic interest in Catherine. He offers her a share of his throne, but Catherine firmly rejects his proposal. Angered, Maxentius orders her to be whipped with ox-hide lashes and thrown into prison, while he leaves to inspect a castle near the Nile River.

Her Martyrdom

During Maxentius's absence, Empress Faustina, impressed by Catherine's courage and conviction, visits her with an escort of 200 soldiers under the Guard Porphyrius or Porphyrio. Both Faustina and Porphyrius, moved by Catherine's faith, convert to Christianity along with the soldiers. Upon his return, Maxentius orders the execution of Faustina, Porphyrius, his wife, and the converted soldiers.

The tale of Saint Catherine's martyrdom becomes even more dramatic with the introduction of the "Wheel of Torture", a device studded with nails. Miraculously, as the wheel approaches Catherine, it breaks apart or its nails detach, sparing her. Ultimately, Catherine is beheaded, and legend tells that milk flowed instead of blood at her execution.

Following her martyrdom, angels are said to have transported her body to Mount Sinai. Centuries later, hermit monks, guided by a vision, recover her body from the mountain and place it in a marble case. Emperor Justinian, informed of this, constructs the holy Monastery of Saint Catherine of Sinai and the church of the Transfiguration of the Savior, where her remains are enshrined.

According to another version of the legend, after rejecting several marriage proposals, Catherine ascends to the heavens during a vision and is betrothed to Christ by the Virgin Mary, reflecting the ancient theme of mystical marriage common in Eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor mythology.

This story, as told, is a blend of history and legend. While Eusebius mentions Catherine's exile, the dramatic elements of her martyrdom and the miraculous translation of her body to Sinai are likely later additions. Today, relics believed to be of Saint Catherine are shown in various churches across Europe, including her head in Rome and her body in the Monastery of Mount Sinai. This legend, though filled with fantastical elements, underscores Catherine's enduring legacy as a symbol of faith and bravery.