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thing that theologically interests me is the saints who have never historically existed. my patron saint which is pretty popular saint across the eastern europe and greece, is saint catherine of alexandria. she never existed, sort of. there was no such a christian person named catherine, who was arguing with greek pagan philosophers and made them christian. there was neoplatonist greek philosopher hypatia whom biography matches with catherine's. saint catherine is based on hypatia, but she's like exactly opposite to hypatia.

so hypatia was martyr of philosophy and people who killed her were radical christians. her death was assosiated with burning of library of alexandria. ordinary christians were her pupils and respected her even though she was a pagan. she was gifted philosopher and mathematian and good teacher. neoplatonists back then even thought that christians were bit stupid and primitive because there was no basis on their arguments about reality, because christians weren't interested in actual scientific research. it goes long before death of hypatia or burning of library of alexandria; it's even read in the bible, apostles 17:18.

hypatia's and catherine's connection has been used in anti-catholic rhetoric during the age of enlightement. they thought that it was grotesque, highly ironic and absolute epitome of anti-scientific worldview of christians to make saint, who's fake biography is based on greek philosopher who ironically was killed because of radical christian views.

so what does this mean theologically? when i am saying prayer to saint catherine of alexandria, does this mean that the prayer goes to no saint or hypatia? or does god think that lmao this is stupid and that prayer goes straight to god? it feels pretty ironic to think that even if those prayers would hypothetically go to hypatia, i know she don't want to listen for those christian prayers.

this seems pretty useless question but let's face it, she's pretty important saint. mount sinai monastery of saint catherine of alexandria is named after her and it's the world's most oldest monastery and christian library in the world. it's second largest christian library in world after vatican's library. it has oldest icons in the world that goes back to byzantine's. so that kind of important place to christian history is dedicated to saint that apparently never existed.