Lebanese people celebrate Eid El Barbara or Saint Barbara’s Day on December 4 each year. The festivities include children dressing up in costumes and singing traditional songs while going door-to-door. The holiday commemorates the story of Barbara, who, in 300 A.D., escaped from her pagan father’s pursuit after converting to Christianity. Legend has it that she disguised herself and fled through fields of wheat. Our Favorite Eid El Barbara Desserts in Lebanon, such as qatayef filled with sugar and ground walnuts or ashta cream, are prepared for the occasion, served with a sweet syrup infused with orange blossom and rose water.
The legend has it that Barbara was the daughter of a rich pagan named Dioscorus, who kept her in a tower to shelter her from the outside world. But, to his dismay, she embraced the Christian religion. After hearing his daughter’s confession, he drew his sword to kill her when miraculously, an opening appeared in the tower wall and she was transported to a mountain gorge, where she disguised herself and hid. Later she was found, tortured and condemned to burn. However, her wounds healed instantly, and the torches kept burning out. Finally, she was beheaded at the hands of her father, when all other methods failed.
Where to purchase our Favorite Eid El Barbara desserts:
Abeille d’Or
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Al Baba Sweets
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Amal Bohsali
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Douaihy Sweets
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Hallab Rafaat
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Hallab 1881
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Maison Sibon
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Seasweet
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For more information about Saint Barbara’s day, check out this article!
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