St. Augustine - A Model of Repentance

In the late fourth century in North Africa, a boy who would one day become a saint was born. The path of sanctity, however, was not paved with simplicity or virtue for St. Augustine in the beginning.

Born in a Roman family of moderate standing, St. Augustine's parents highly valued education for their son. They did everything within their means to make sure that he went to the best schools and was able to receive the training he needed to be a highly successful rhetorician when he graduated. Though St. Augustine wasn't terribly interested in his education, he did what his parents required of him. 

Image from Orthodoxwiki

What Augustine was interested in doing during his "college years" was getting by and having a good time with his friends. In his Confessions, Augustine admits that he felt that his parents were willing to turn a blind eye to his social and moral decisions so long as he completed his education. So while he was completing his studies, Augustine was also spending his time partying with his friends, satisfying his lusts, and pulling mindless pranks. When his mother finally realized a little of what was going on and warned him against certain behaviors, especially with women, Augustine scoffed at her reprimands and continued on his destructive path.

As a student and citizen of Rome, Augustine was also exposed to a variety of philosophies and religions. It was around the time of his late-teens and early-twenties when Augustine joined the ranks of the Gnostic sect, the Manicheans, turning away from the little bit of Christian upbringing that he had been given. He also dabbled in astrology for many years and later when he had abandoned Manicheaism, was interested in the philosophy of Neoplatonism.

St. Elizabeth the New Martyr - Humility & Service

St. Elizabeth the New Martyr—once Grand Duchess Elizabeth Fyodorovna, of Russia—died in 1918 at the hands of the Soviet Government. Throughout her life, despite her royal blood and wealthy upbringing, she demonstrated a dedication to humility and service.

 

Elizabeth was raised in part by her grandmother, Queen Victoria of Britain, after the age of 14, once she had been orphaned. In time, she married the Grand Duke Sergei of Russia in June of 1884. After a number of years, as she fell in love with the Church and the people of Russia, Elizabeth converted to Orthodoxy of her own volition in 1891.

When her Lutheran family initially expressed grief at her decision to convert, Elizabeth wrote to them, "I am sure God's blessing will accompany my act which I do with such fervent belief, with the feeling that I may become a better Christian and be one step nearer to God."

She later encouraged her younger sister, Alexandra Fyodorovna, to convert to Orthodoxy and marry the Grand Duke Nicholas, heir to the Russian throne, which she did in 1894. Alexandra and Nicholas later died in 1918 as the last Tsar and Tsarina of Russia.

Saint Catherine the Great - An Example of Godly Scholarship

Saint Catherine was born in Alexandria, the daughter of Cinstus or Cestus. A virgin with great beauty and wisdom, she was famous for her wealth, noble origin, and education. By her remarkable knowledge, she conquered the passionate and untamed soul of Emperor Maximin. By the strength of her discourses, she reduced to silence rhetors who wished to dispute with her. She obtained the crown of martyrdom about the year 305.¹

CC Image from Wikimedia Commons

Saints of the Church are uniquely special—they were real people, with real struggles and joys, who willingly chose to direct their lives toward Christ. Saint Catherine is no exception. Life circumstances aside, we all have things we can define in our lives as blessings. Saint Catherine was indeed blessed—as the daughter of an Alexandrian governor she was wealthy, beautiful, and highly intelligent. However, as it goes with blessings, when they are given, we are entrusted to not abuse or neglect them. Saint Catherine did neither.