November 25

Saint Catherine of Alexandria

Optional memorial · Remembered by Catholics, Anglicans and Lutherans

Remembered in legend as a learned young woman who defended her faith in debate

Catherine was among the best-loved saints of the Middle Ages, yet almost nothing about her can be confirmed. No early writer mentions her. Her story was written down centuries after the events it describes, and historians treat it as legend.

Tradition says she was a young, well-educated noblewoman of Alexandria in Egypt in the early 300s, when Christians were persecuted. She is said to have challenged the emperor over his cruelty. She then debated a group of pagan philosophers so well that they became Christians themselves. Condemned to death, she was tied to a spiked wheel that broke apart, and was then beheaded.

Her story spread from the East across Europe. The wheel became her sign, and students and philosophers took her as their patron. The ancient monastery at Mount Sinai bears her name. For many Christians she stands for a faith that thinks, speaks up and holds firm.

So make up your mind not to worry beforehand how to defend yourselves. For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

Luke 21:14–15 · BSB

A prayer

God of truth, the story of Catherine has long encouraged your people to love wisdom and to speak of you with courage. Give us minds open to learning and hearts steady in faith, so that we may answer honestly and gently for the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Amen.