FReeper Canteen ~ The Legend of Saint Barbara, Patron Saint of the Artillery ~ Dec 4 2005

army.mil ^ | Order of Saint Barbara

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

 

 

The feast of Saint Barbara falls on December 4th

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The legend of Saint Barbara
Patron Saint of the Artillery
The feast of Saint Barbara falls on December 4th

   According to legend, Saint Barbara was the extremely beautiful daughter of a wealthy heathen named Dioscorus, who lived near Nicomedia in Asia Minor. Because of her singular beauty and fearful that she be demanded in marriage and taken away from him, he jealously shut her up in a tower to protect her from the outside world.

   Shortly before embarking on a journey, he commissioned a sumptuous bathhouse to be built for her, approving the design before he departed. Barbara had heard of the teachings of Christ, and while her father was gone spent much time in contemplation. From the windows of her tower she looked out upon the surrounding countryside and marveled at the growing things; the trees, the animals and the people. She decided that all these must be part of a master plan, and that the idols of wood and stone worshipped by her parents must be condemned as false. Gradually she came to accept the Christian faith.

   As her belief became firm, she directed that the builders redesign the bathhouse her father had planned, adding another window so that the three windows might symbolize the Holy Trinity.

   When her father returned, he was enraged at the changes and infuriated when Barbara acknowledged that she was a Christian. He dragged her before the perfect of the province, who decreed that she be tortured and put to death by beheading. Dioscorus himself carried out the death sentence. On his way home he was struck by lightening and his body consumed.

   Saint Barbara lived and died about the year 300 A.D. She was venerated as early as the seventh century. The legend of the lightning bolt which struck down her persecutor caused her to be regarded as the patron saint in time of danger from thunderstorms, fires and sudden death.

   When gunpowder made its appearance in the Western world, Saint Barbara was invoked for aid against accidents resulting from explosions--since some of the earlier artillery pieces often blew up instead of firing their projectile, Saint Barbara became the patroness of the artillerymen.

   Saint Barbara is usually represented standing by a tower with three windows, carrying the palm of a martyr in her hand. Often, too, she holds a chalice and a sacramental wafer and sometimes cannon are displayed near her. The feast of Saint Barbara falls on December 4th and is traditionally recognized by a formal Dining-In or military dinner, often involving the presentation of the Order of Saint Barbara.

   The Order of Saint Barbara is an honorary military society of the United States Field Artillery. Both U.S. Marine and Army field artillery along with their military and civilian supporters are eligible for membership. The order is managed by the U.S. Field Artillery Association and two levels of recognition exist. The most distinguished level is the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara and those who are selected for this honor have achieved long-term, exceptional service to the field artillery surpassing even their brethren in the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara. The order links field artillerymen of the past and present in a brotherhood of professionalism, selfless service and sacrifice symbolized by Saint Barbara.

For more information concerning Saint Barbara or the Order of Saint Barbara,
contact the United States Field Artillery Association, P.O. Box 33027, Fort Sill Oklahoma 73503,
or telephone (580) 355-4677 or email: usfaa@sirinet.net

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Dear God:
I ask that no Airman, Coast Guardsman,
Marine, Sailor, Soldier or National Guardsman
Feel alone or forgotten.
Please guide the people of Free Republic to
The FR Canteen Post Office
So they can e-mail a service man or woman today.
AMEN

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Click on the pic and I'll guide you
to the start of today's
Guest Military Chaplain Service



Graphic tribute by our own Lady Jag

Please stop in and say a prayer of protection for the military.
Prayers from all denominations are needed.

                                          


Sunday Liberty starts after the Guest Military Chaplain's Service!

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT
Showing support and boosting the morale of
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and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.
CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREAD.

[Americanwolf]

She is also considered the Patron Saintess of the Aviation ordnanaceman...

I know that I made a prayer or two too her! :)

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thank You for today's theme for the Sunday Canteen.

Thank You for your service to our country.

[alarm rider]

In.

Thanks for the story.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

FYI : Look in upper right corner of "My Comments" page.
Set it for "Brief" instead of Full.
You only will get title of thread and who pinged you.
No graphics will load.

[mylife]

Is it Sunday? Already? ;)

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

From the men in the Military and the Canteen

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
No matter where you are stationed,
No matter what your job description
Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.

To our military readers, we remain steadfast in keeping the Canteen doors open.
The FR Canteen is Free Republics longest running daily thread specifically designed
to provide entertainment and morale support for the military.
The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afghanistan.
We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT
Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.
CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREAD.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Saint Barbara, Patron Saint of the Artillery

Please Protect the men and women in our military
and our allies military.

AMEN

[HopeandGlory]

Good morning Troops, Veterans and Canteeners.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Our Flag Flying Proudly One Nation Under God

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Lord, Please Bless Our Troops, they're fighting for our Freedom.

Prayers going up.

[EsmeraldaA]

Amen and thank you.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

One of the most revered Artillery support Landing Zones in U.S. Military History =

Landing Zone Falcon in the Valley of Death known as the IA DRANG Valley of November 1965

http://www.lzxray.com/guyer_set3.htm
(See last photo)

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[Soaring Feather]

[Soaring Feather]

Psalm 121

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

King James Version

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Artillery Lends Dignity to What Would Otherwise Be a Vulgar Brawl

[AZamericonnie]

LeeAnn Rimes~Amazing Grace

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Yes it is. God bless our troops and our Veterans. I like to say special prayers for the Children of our service members. I pray that they will hold their respective holidays with joy- even in their loneliness.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

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The one thing the LOVE Itself needs more of in this world, for GOD is LOVE...

...is more LOVE.


This only comes when people are...
...FREE.


Making our hero American Soldiers bringing FREEDOM around the world, and their loved ones waiting for them to come home or not,

...instruments of GOD's loving plan here on the planet Earth:

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MEL's -PASSION- sparked by -WE WERE SOLDIERS-

http://www.Freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1085111/posts

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[mylife]

The children will do well

Prayers for the lil troopers