Researchers have little doubt that Catherine of Alexandria was a real person. However, much of the information surrounding her life and martyrdom are probably fabrications or, at the very least, exaggerations . It is believed that she was beheaded after other means of execution failed. Her name was removed from the Calendar of Saints in 1969 but returned to its former status when a diary purported to be written by Catherine, was found in the 1980s.
According to legend, St. Catherine of Alexandria was to have been smashed on the wheel, but the wheel broke, and she was beheaded instead. However, we can not even be sure whether Catherine actually existed.
St. Catherine was never mentioned before the ninth century, and some assiduous research has failed to identify Catherine with any historical person. Donald Attwater calls the story of St. Catherine the most preposterous legend of its kind, citing the lack of any positive evidence that she ever existed outside the mind of some Greek writer who first composed what he intended to be simply an edifying romance. Even her name, which comes from the Greek katharos, ('pure'), is suspiciously apt for a virgin martyr, raising the possibility that her legend originated as an allegory. With no reliable information about St. Catherine, we can not say that any of the traditions about how or when she died are true.
Catherine was from Alexandria, Egypt.
She was born in Alexandria, Egypt.
St. Catherine's Monastery in Sinai, Mount St. Catherine in Egypt, and the Catherine Wheel firework are named after Catherine of Alexandria. She is also the patron saint of scholars, philosophers, and preachers.
St. Catherine of Alexandria.
St. Catherine of Alexandria.
St. Catherine of Alexandria is believed to have lived in the 3rd to 4th century AD in Alexandria, Egypt. She is considered to be one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers in the Roman Catholic Church.
Catherine has written: 'The legend of St. Katherine of Alexandria' -- subject(s): Accessible book 'Die Legende der hl. Katharina von Alexandrien' 'The life of St. Catherine' 'The life of Saint Katherine'
She was beheaded about the year 305 in Alexandria, Egypt.
Most likely both in Alexandria Egypt.
She is said to have appeared to Joan of Arc.
The patron saints of secretaries are St. Catherine of Alexandria and St. Genesius of Arles.
Catherine of Alexandria was from Alexandria, Egypt.