Today, December 17, the Georgian Orthodox Church marks Saint Barbara’s Day, commemorating the Holy Great Martyr Barbara, who suffered martyrdom for her Christian faith at the beginning of the 4th century. Festive services are held in all functioning churches on this day. Saint Barbara is especially revered as a patroness of children.

According to church tradition, Saint Barbara was born in the second half of the 3rd century in the Phoenician city of Heliopolis. She was raised as an only child by her father, a pagan. After secretly accepting Christianity, Barbara was reported by her father to the ruler, Marcian. Following days of severe torture for refusing to renounce her faith, Saint Barbara was ultimately beheaded by her own father, sealing her witness to Christianity.