St. Barbara: The Story of a Christian Martyr of Unshakeable Courage!
Aline Haddad
Sunday, December 3, 2023
Saint Barbara and her father struck by lightning
Francesco Soderini (1671-1739)
Eid El Barbara or St. Barbara's Day in Lebanon
The feast of St. Barbara is widely celebrated in Lebanon. It is a celebration that precedes Christmas and is accompanied by various festivities and customs. The tradition begins on December 3, the eve of the feast day, children dress up as Saint Barbara, and families visit each other and get together. When visiting their neighbours and relatives, children receive money and specially prepared homemade desserts.Since St. Barbara hid in a field of wheat, wheat has become a very important symbol of her feast day. Each family prepares for Christmas by planting wheat and lentil seeds in three small dishes covered with water-soaked absorbent cotton, symbolizing the Trinity. The seedlings are watered daily until Christmas, and when they sprout, it's a sign of blessing and prosperity for the new year. Families also prepare traditional wheat-based dishes such as amhieh (wheat berry pudding) as well as desserts such as maakroun (semolina sweets), mchabbak (fried dough shaped into a spiral and dipped in sugar syrup) and katayef (sweet dumpling filled with cream or nuts).. They also remind us of the exceptional memories we carry with us all our lives, and pass onto future generations.


(Photo from Wikimedia Commons)Prayer to St. Barbara
St. Barbara, beloved saint of the Lebanese, we turn to you in these uncertain times, you who have shown the strength of your faith in the face of adversity.Protect our beloved Lebanon, land of diversity, keep us from torment, conflict and discord, guide our leaders towards wisdom and peace, O holy Barbara.We pray that our traditions will endure, despite the economic and political challenges that beset us, and that the feast in your honour will remain a sacred bond.Inspire our hearts with solidarity and charity, help us support our fellow citizens in need, and maintain love and unity in our society.St. Barbara, watch over us, over our nation, may your light shine on Lebanon, even in the darkness, and may we continue to celebrate your memory with pride.Amen.slmedia.org






