An icon of St Barbara, in a silver-gilt and cloisonné enamel oklad, Moscow, 1899-1908

Saint Barbara from Heliopolis of Phoenicia, also known as Great Martyr Barbara and one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, is venerated in both Orthodox, Catholic and Anglican Church. A daughter of a rich idolater Dioscorus, who refused to accept Barbara’s Christian faith, she was subjected to torture and beheading. As a punishment for his cruelty, Dioscorus was struck by lightning, which has been associated with the Saint ever since: she is a patron of artillery and mining, is invoked against thunder and lightning, and her blessing is known to protect from sudden and violent death. Saint Barbara is often depicted with a chalice which symbolizes the Last Rites and Barbara’s prayers for all those who commemorate her and her sufferings.