December 4: Feast of Saint Barbara - traditions, prayers and what not to do

Today, December 4, 2025, Orthodox Christians and Greek Catholics celebrate the Feast of Saint Barbara the Great Martyr. Barbara has always been one of the most revered Christian saints due to her martyr's death. The people regard her as the patron saint of women, children, miners, warriors, craftsmen, and as a protector against sudden death.

Since September 1, 2023, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church have switched to the New Julian Church Calendar, which moved the dates of fixed feasts 13 days earlier.

The history of the feast is linked to the life and martyrdom of Barbara, who accepted Christianity against her father's will and died a martyr's death. There are also various traditions and rituals associated with this feast.

Traditions and rituals of the feast:

• The Feast of Saint Barbara is celebrated throughout the Orthodox world, considered a women's holiday when women turn to this saint with requests for happiness and protection from misfortunes.
• Barbara is the patroness of miners, craftsmen, and artillerymen. In some countries, this holiday is even celebrated as a day dedicated to artillery.

Barbara – the patroness of pregnant women, who believe that the saint will help during childbirth. There are also customs associated with the celebration of this day, such as sowing seeds or divination.

History of the feast:

The history of the feast is linked to the life and martyrdom of Saint Barbara, who accepted Christianity against her father's will and died a martyr's death.

Greetings for the feast:

The Feast of Saint Barbara is celebrated with various greetings in verses, prose, and postcards, where people express their wishes and prayers.

Ukrainian Orthodox Christians and Greek Catholics celebrate the Feast of Saint Barbara the Great Martyr, the patroness of women, children, miners, craftsmen, and warriors. This feast has deep religious roots and is marked by a variety of traditions and rituals, particularly in the realm of protection and prosperity of various professions and social strata.