COR KIDS · ATHLETES OF CHRIST
Perseverance
The quick story
St. Barbara lived in a tower built by her father. Looking up at the sun, moon and stars, she wondered about the wise and powerful Creator who had made them. She learned the Christian faith and came to love Jesus. The Coptic account tells how she asked for a third window as a sign of the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Barbara's father became angry about her faith, and she was brought before a governor. Promises and threats could not make her abandon Christ. A young woman named Juliana saw Barbara suffering and felt deep compassion for her. The Synaxarium tells us that Juliana saw Christ comforting Barbara and also came to believe in Him.
Both women remained faithful and died as martyrs. The Coptic Church remembers them together on Kiahk 8. Their story brings together wonder, courage and compassion: noticing God's creation, holding to our faith, and caring when someone else is hurting.
Explore the life
PART 1
Looking for the Creator
From her tower, Barbara admired the sun, moon and stars. She came to believe in the God who made them.
PART 2
A sign of faith
Church tradition tells of Barbara asking for a third window as a sign of the Holy Trinity.
PART 3
Juliana believes
Juliana had compassion for Barbara. Seeing Christ strengthen her, Juliana also believed in Jesus.
PART 4
Faithful witnesses
Both women kept their faith through persecution. A martyr is someone killed for remaining faithful to Christ.
PART 5
Practise perseverance
When doing the right thing feels difficult, ask Jesus for help. Be fair in games and kind to others, even if friends choose differently.
Think about it
What can you do when friends pressure you to make a wrong choice?
Tap to discover the answer
Pause and pray. Choose what is kind and fair, and ask a trusted adult for help when you need it.
Try it today
Choose what is right, even when friends disagree.
May the prayers of the saints be with us. Amen.