Saint Catherine of Alexandria is a Christian saint and martyr claimed to have been a noted scholar in the early 4th century. She was one of the saints to speak to Saint Joan of Arc. The Orthodox Churches venerate her as a "great martyr," and in the Roman Catholic Church, she is traditionally revered as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. What passes for Saint Catherine's life is mostly composed of legends which have many different variations. The most popular version is as follows. Catherine was the daughter of Costus, governor of Alexandria in Egypt. She declared to her parents that she would only enter into marriage with someone who surpassed her in reputation, wealth, beauty and wisdom. Catherine's mother was secretly a Christian, and sent her to a hermit who told her of a youth who surpassed her in everything, such that "His beauty was more radiant than the shining of the sun, His wisdom governed all creation, His riches were spread throughout all the world." Having received a vision that urged her baptism, she became a Christian and was transported to heaven in vision and betrothed to Christ by the Virgin Mary.