St Catherine the Great Martyr is ROOF's patron. She lived in Alexandria in the 3rd-4th century. Although she was born into a wealthy family, was well educated and beautiful, she learned from a spiritual father and from Christ himself that these gifts were as nothing without the fruits of the Spirit, and that education is worthless without wisdom, and wisdom cannot be gained without humility.

She attempted to dissuade Emperor Maximinius II from the persecution of Christians, and converted his wife to Christ. After converting many pagans, she was sentenced to death on the breaking wheel (where the Catherine Wheel gets its name), but when the wheel miraculously broke under her, she received her martyrdom by beheading.

Troparion (tone 4):

Thy lamb Catherine, O Jesus,

Calls out to thee in a loud voice:

I love thee, O my bridegroom,

And in seeking thee, I endure suffering.

In baptism I was crucified so that I might reign in thee,

And died so that I might live with thee.

Accept me as a pure sacrifice,

For I have offered myself in love.

By her prayers save our souls, since thou art merciful.